"'Shame' is the second collaboration between Michael Fassbender and ‘Hunger’ writer/director Steve McQueen. The film follows Brandon, a thirty-something man, closed from emotional contact, lonely, unable to manage his sex life and moving towards self-destruction. When his wayward younger sister moves into his apartment stirring memories of their shared painful past, Brandon’s insular life spirals out of control. ‘Shame’ is a compelling and timely examination of the nature of need, how we live our lives and the experiences that shape us."

Q: What was your reaction when Steve McQueen first approached you about this film and role?

A: Steve McQueen first came to me, said to me that he had this idea in 2008. We were going to a dinner in the Houses of Parliament in London, it was a celebration of Film4 and their contribution to film, and Steve mentioned it over the dinner to me. I was like, ‘Just tell me when and where.’ It’s really that simple. I’ve said it before, the opportunity Steven gave me with ‘Hunger’ changed my life. And just the working relationship is a very honest and exciting and scary and rewarding one, so I jumped at the opportunity.

Q: This film is very political, different to 'Hunger,' but just as political in a different way. The sexual politics.

A: I think the fact of the matter is, this is the interesting thing, the whole idea that sex is such a primal instinct – obviously originally there in order for us to survive, procreate, reproduce, and not go extinct (laughs). As we developed, or not, we arrived at a place where of course people realized that it is such a strong instinct, therefore so prevalent in the human race, so people set about to make money out of it. So everywhere you go sex is being sold to you one way or the other, I think you’d have to be pretty blinkered not to realise that, or see it. Whether your buying a soda, or even breakfast cereal – sex is being sold to you, you’re being told what to wear, how much you should weigh, or how you should look in order to be sexy, in order to be successful, in order to be accepted. There’s just so much information. It’s so exploited, that for somebody like Steve McQueen to take on the topic and deal with it in a very serious way……..and open it up and look at it in a very honest way. I think that’s what makes it special, I think what makes it really special for me is the fact that audiences have responded the way they have. Meaning, contrary to what some might say, that there is still a place for an intelligent, brave audience – that can take chances and involve themselves in the film, ask questions, participate when they go to cinema. As opposed to just sitting there eating popcorn and being entertained with that comfortable fourth wall between the screen and the audience. With this they sort of step-over that wall and they are in it with Brandon, with these characters, experiencing, questioning themselves.

Q: How did Steve help you get into this character, what is your working process like?

A: I think great directors are great manipulators, and I think Steve is very good at that, in less obvious ways than just being on set. Whether we are having lunch, a conversation, just taking a stroll. We talked a lot, we have a very collaborative experience, he basically gives me the tools to go about….kind of doing what I want really, it’s hard to explain. I always say that working with Steve is like that thing of take a chance, if you fall flat on your face, what is the worse that can happen? We’re all gonna die, lets try to do something that makes a difference, where risks are taken, where we work without the luxury of a safety net. We don’t know, a lot of the times I think we do a lot of preparation, each of us, individually and together. And then we come on set and don’t know what is going to happen, that element of unsurety as well, and that idea of experimenting, so what we thought was one idea, flip it and see what happens if you do it totally in the opposite spectrum. So it’s having that freedom to be awake and aware on set, and allow things to happen, and take risks.

Q: It’s such a fascinating film, and character in Brandon, this sort of study of his psyche. How was it playing this man, especially the fact that you have to work naked in a number of scenes?

A: You know, it’s pretty uncomfortable. It’s kind of embarrassing to be naked or whatnot in front of a crew of people. But you’ve got to get over it, and just get on with it. I knew what I was getting into before it (laughs). The most important thing is that the story is being told. These scenes describe Brandon, his state of mind, where he is at. That was the interesting thing with the sex scenes, that it wasn’t a form of exploitation or titillation, it was really a study of this guys relationship with himself and his relationship with other people. It makes it a lot easier when it’s handled with such care and under Steve McQueen.

Q: For me one of the most moving and mesmerising scenes in ‘Shame’ is when Sissy is singing, and your characters reaction to that.

A: With the back-story of Brandon, one thing that really describes tragedy, for me of Brandon, is that we had discussed and came to the conclusion that he’s a really good piano player. And it’s something he doesn’t have in his life anymore – why? Why has he given it up? That was something interesting to draw on the fact that they had this history of music together, and for whatever reason he doesn’t want to be brought back to that memory, or that place. So he sort of abandoned and left that part of his life behind, she sort of brings it back into his world again.

Q: Over the last few weeks, much has been said in the media about an Oscar nomination for your part in this film, what are your thoughts on this?

A: I’d be very flattered, very honoured to just be mentioned in that category. But I don’t think about it too much to be honest, because that way madness lies (laughs). I just try to concentrate on whatever job is at hand. What is amazing to me is to work with great filmmakers and great story-tellers, and to try to learn as much as I can from that. The rest is sort of going to take care of itself, or not. My energy is better placed in other areas, just really in terms of my work.

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