Director of Elizabeth: The Golden Age defends film

Director of Elizabeth: The Golden Age defends film after New York Times calls it 'deliriously far-fetched'

THE DIRECTOR OF Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Shekhar Kapur, has confronted critics of his latest movie saying he was 'never interested in giving a literal chronology of history.'

Kapur's latest foray has suffered criticism from the US critics, with the New York Times calling it 'reductive, distorted and deliriously far-fetched', whilst Variety – the trade journal of the US film industry - said the film took 'a small-minded view of history'.

Talking in a press conference today, Kapur explained: 'My intention was to add a dreamlike quality to the period and demand that the characters themselves were grounded in reality.'

Cate Blanchett has received wide acclaim for her role as Elizabeth, reprising the role nearly ten years after the first film. The Australian actress revealed there was never any question of her returning to play The Virgin Queen: 'It seems more accepting to reprise roles in theatre; in film you have to battle to uncross people's arms and justify why you're doing it,' she said.

Blanchett is also in the capital to promote I'm Not There, screened at The London Film Festival, in which seven actors embody a difference aspect of Bob Dylan's life, including her.

The actress spoke of the 'appendage' she was required to wear for the male part admitting: 'When I had to 'pack my lunch' so to speak, my husband found it hilarious, he's used to it, but he definitely didn't want to kiss me – especially if he was papped kissing 'a man'!'

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is released on 2 November