More of this Feature ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWS: • Andrew Niccol (writer/director) • Pruitt Taylor Vince (Max Sayer) ADDITIONAL "Simone" INFORMATION: • Photos from the Premiere of "Simone" • "Simone" News, Trailer, and Websites • "Simone" Production Photos

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In "Simone," Al Pacino plays a down on his luck Academy Award^®-nominated director who lost his last shot at a comeback when a temperamental actress (played by Winona Ryder) walked off his movie "Sunrise, Sunset." Fired by his ex-wife and studio head Elaine Christian (Catherine Keener), Taransky runs into computer genius Hank Aleno (Elias Koteas), a man with a vision and a terminal illness (seems sitting too close to computer screens really is bad for your health). Aleno gives Taransky his life's work - software that will allow Taransky to realistically create a pure CGI actress, Simulation One aka Simone.

In order to completely sell the concept of a CGI actress that's as believable as a real human being, writer/director Andrew Niccol needed an actor of extraordinary skills. Niccol believes that Al Pacino was the only actor who could completely sell the idea. "Al brings something subversive to the role of a man who is the advocate of artificial humans,” says Niccol, adding, “When such a respected actor says, `Who needs actors?' you take notice. If a more comedic actor made that statement, it wouldn't have the same gravity.”

AL PACINO (Viktor Taransky)

Are we coming to an age where filmmakers are saying we don't need actors?
I hope not. No, I don't think so. In this particular story, Andrew Niccol uses [that idea] as a kind of catalyst to express how he sees this town, how he sees an aspect of our business.

Can our celebrity-obsessed culture tell the difference between what is real and what is not?
That's part of what he does. Andrew Niccol wrote it - and he wrote "The Truman Show" - and he directed it. He has a specific vision that I feel is translating on the screen. I think it is coming true, what he is saying. He's doing it with a certain touch - a light touch - and he's using it as part of what he's saying. If you are going to say something, it's a good idea to do it with a certain style or humor. It's always easier to convey something with a smile. He is talking about something.

How do you keep up your enthusiasm for acting?
I keep the faith and keep doing what I do. As long as I can still do what I do, I'll still do it. I'm grateful to be able to serve whatever material I'm doing. Serve it, and try to present it well.

Do you bring your life experience to each role?
It's there in everything I do. You're an actor, it's you, it's your life. Whatever you can call on, you call on. You do it mainly unconsciously, really. You don't really know you are doing it but if you approach a role, you have to use it. If you are a painter, you are painting the things that you either see or that come in to your head. It's all used.