Why did you do "Enemy at the
                                              Gates"?
                                              It had everything. It's a cliché when
                                              female actors say they can't find
                                              strong roles, but it is very hard to find
                                              challenging roles that are different
                                              and difficult. It's also a story I didn't
                                              know anything about and that was
                                              interesting on an intellectual level. I
                                              thought it was a great role for a
                                              young woman.

                                              What preparation did you do?
                                              We read lots of history books and
                                              saw documentaries, reportage. And
                                              lots of photographs. There was one
                                              incredible image of a woman, a
                                              Russian soldier who was lying
                                              asleep on her rifle. Her face is
                                              covered in mud and dirt and she had
                                              such a serene expression on her
                                              face. It's such an incredible image. I
                                              had it pinned up on my wall. I didn't
                                              know there would be women fighting.

                                              Were you comfortable using a
                                              gun?
                                              Not immediately, but I had to learn to
                                              be comfortable. I felt my biggest
                                              responsibility on this film was to be
                                              believable as a soldier. I'd never
                                              picked up a gun. It's strange at first.
                                              In England, the police don't have
                                              guns so we live in a culture where I
                                              don't see guns. We were trained by a
                                              military officer and had to load,
                                              unload, clean, fire, pick-up. They're
                                              very heavy. I developed big muscles
                                              from carrying it around for five
                                              months. It didn't make me feel very
                                              macho.

                                              Were you good at using a gun?
                                              I didn't have to be as good as Jude
                                              Law, but apparently - according to
                                              the ex-SAS officer who trained us
                                              both - I was a natural. Very bizarre
                                              thing to discover that you're good at,
                                              and not something I'm necessarily
                                              proud of. Normally actors are not
                                              very coordinated with guns, I don't
                                              know why. I just took to it quickly.
                                              Jude then became better than me,
                                              but I was faster.