VM: The film paints a frightening image of the future where human emotion is virtually outlawed. How close do you think it is to reality?
Samantha Morton: I think there's a lot of social conditioning in society even today, whether we're aware of it or not. It has to do with the image you put out to the rest of the world. To a potential mate you're saying a lot about yourself in what you wear, for example, and you're therefore attracting a certain kind of person. The film just focuses on this in a way that's a little more controlled.
VM: Filming took place in such far-flung places as Shanghai, Dubai and Jaipur. Was it strange being so far away from home?
Samantha Morton: I've done a lot of films like that, and it's one of the reasons I love my job. But the separation aspect is something that's happening in the world more and more. People are encouraged to look to themselves first as opposed to being a part of society.
VM: Another theme of the film is stifling bureaucracy. Is that something you could relate to?
Samantha Morton: Absolutely. When I was growing up I wanted to go to drama school to become an actor, but you needed a minimum of five GCSEs to even audition for RADA. I left school very young, so I didn't have this piece of paper and I was told I couldn't even audition without it. I think the film's incredible because it's more true to life than any science-fiction film I've seen. It's shockingly real. The stuff that's in the film is happening now; we just choose not to see it...