EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Carol Burnett Talks 'The Secret World of Arrietty'

Friday, 10 February 2012 12:45

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Opening in North American theater on February 17th is the extremely popular 2010 Japanese animated fantasy film The Secret World of Arrietty, which was known as The Borrower Arrietty in Japan. The movie revolves around a family of "tiny people" or "borrowers" that live underneath the floorboards of a human household. The film has been re-voiced for an English-speaking audience and features actress Bridgit Mendler (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel) in the title role, as well as comedic actors Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), Will Arnett (Arrested Development), and comedy legend Carol Burnett (The Carol Burnett Show).

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the immense pleasure of sitting down with actress, legendary comedian and national treasure Carol Burnett to discuss her work on The Secret World of Arrietty. Burnett talked candidly about the new film, her character, why she prefers playing the villain, the challenges of sinking her voice to the already completed Japanese animation, her co-star Amy Poehler, and other current female comedians that she enjoys watching.

To watch our exclusive interview with Carol Burnett about The Secret World of Arrietty, please click on the video player above.

Philbrick also recently had a chance to speak with Bridgit Mendler about her voice work on The Secret World of Arrietty. Here is what the young actress had to say about the film's unique animation.

"I think its a cool thing that we don't see very often in American films. I was a huge fan of Spirited Away back in the day, which was a really kind of unconventional story, unconventional animation, and I think people are really drawn to it because it's not something that they see very often. I think that the way it was done in this movie especially is very accessible and it almost looks like cinematography sometimes, which I think is really neat that they were able to do. So I'm excited for audiences to see it and I hope they respond well."

She also discussed her character's unusual relationship in the film with a human boy named Shawn (David Henrie).

"There is a lot of curiosity for her with the humans. She's not supposed to interact with them at all. So to meet Shawn and to figure out that he is actually on her team, I think that it is really a beautiful friendship and they have so much trust in each other. He winds up being in a dire situation himself with his heart problems so to be able to be there for each other was a really strong tie in their friendship."

SYNOPSIS:

Arrietty (Mendler), a tiny but tenacious fourteen-year-old, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when twelve-year-old Shawn (Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers mysterious housemates one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty's family from the home and straight into danger.

The Secret World of Arrietty can be discovered in North American theaters beginning February 17th.