The Verge: Lily Cole

Were you intimidated by Terry's reputation as this mythic, larger-than-life figure?

Well, he really is the myth and larger-than-life figure! I didn't know that much about him going in -- I'd seen two of his films, Brazil and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He is what he seems, I think. His film are such an honest vomiting of what he is, and there's no compromise or people-pleasing going on. There's his crazy imagination and thoughtful mind being spread like butter on toast in a film.

You worked on the film both before and after Heath's death. Can you tell me how the mood on the set changed?

It was an immense, unescapable sadness that hung like a cloud over the whole second half of filming. It was also beautifully unifying: everyone was very affected by what happened and had come back together a month later committed to trying to finish the film, but very aware of this really wonderful human being we'd lost. It was somber, but it was also like a family reunited. Once the ball started rolling and [Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell] committed, it was going. The machine was churning and the wheels was turning.

How did you recalibrate the performance you'd planned to give opposite Heath as Tony when suddenly you've got Colin Farrell in front of you in that role?

It was certainly very weird, and made me really upset the first day because I hadn't really thought about that dynamic at all. I just kind of did it and it was only afterward, after I'd pushed aside the reality of the situation to reenact my relationship with Tony, that there was the undeniable reality that the only reason I was doing that is because a friend of mine has died. It was such a difficult reasoning to come to grips with. Colin was so lovely, and he was in a strange situation himself, coming in to do that.

In modeling, the clothes really help inform your method, and Valentina's look is really quite interesting. Did those types of things help you get in character?

I think it did, but it's hard to know because I didn't play the film in contrast wearing tracksuit bottoms. [Laughs] There's gypsy clothes, dirt on your face, scruffy hair...it gives you a certain feeling, it's playful and dirty.

You're obviously going to be acting in the future, but how much does modeling still figure into things?

Not so much. I've stopped the last few years, although I'll do the little thing here and there where it's appropriate. Most of my time is dedicated to finishing my degree, which I'm halfway through in England.

How do you juggle looking for film work when you're trying to finish your degree?

I don't know! [Laughs] I did my A-levels in England when I was modeling a lot, and it was a juggling act. I'm in term times in Cambridge for six months of the year, so that gives me six months to play with. I'm interested in learning and I find it valuable. I found going to school when I was modeling very grounding. It's really kept my perspective on bigger things in my life.

Photo Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

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