Whedon, Abramovic, Gerwig, Cumberbatch & More: 20 of Indiewire's Favorite Interviews So Far This Year

With today officially kicking off the summer season, we thought it was high time to look back at the best interviews we've run over the past six months on Indiewire. Among the talent who spoke with Indiewire during the first half of 2012: "Glee" star Chris Colfer who impressed with his screenwriting debut, "Struck By Lightening"; the incomparable subject of "The Artist is Present," Marina Abramovic; Sherlock himself, Benedict Cumberbatch; HBO's newest darling, Lena Dunham; this year's 'king of the world,' Joss Whedon; and many more. Below check out 20 of the best profiles (in alphabetical order) Indiewire has run so far this year. [Click on name to access full interview.]

Marina Abramovic
Profession: Artist
Film: "Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present"
Why We Chose This Interview: It's not very often that Indiewire gets the chance to sit down with folks like legendary performance artist, Marina Abramovic. But thanks to the documentary "Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present," we did. In Park City, Indiewire caught up with the titan to discuss being the subject of Matthew Akers' fascinating film, and what she thinks of Lady Gaga.
Best Quote: "I remembered every person; I had such an intense relationship to every person. I still see people on the street and we lock eyes, and say "Oh my god!" and we just kiss and stay like that and sometimes cry."

"Struck by Lightning"

Chris Colfer
Profession: Writer, actor
Film: "Struck By Lightening"
Why We Chose This Interview: Chris Colfer has already proven himself singing, dancing and acting his way into the hearts of fans worldwide in Fox's hit TV show "Glee." During this year's Tribeca Film Festival, Colfer proved himself to be a quadruple threat after world premiering his snappy and ambitious screenwriting debut, "Struck By Lightning" to a standing ovation. Indiewire sat down with the elated Colfer the day following the premiere.
Best Quote: "Well, the whole blackmailing came from me from when I was in high school and I did a show called “Shirley Todd” which was a spoof of “Sweeney Todd." None of my friends wanted to be in it so I kind of blackmailed them into being in it. There was a vegetarian, a die-hard vegetarian, and I found a hamburger receipt in her car. I was like, 'You’re going to be in my show.'"
 

Benedict Cumberbatch
Profession: Actor
Show: "Sherlock"
Why We Chose This Interview: Benedict Cumberbatch is already a bona fide star in his native Britain where his take on Sherlock Holmes in the BBC's "Sherlock" revamp has made him a household name. This year saw the thesp blow up stateside as well, thanks to the show's stellar second season and news that he has been cast as the main villain of the upcoming "Star Trek" film. Unsurprisingly, man makes for one fascinating chat.
Best Quote: "I've had asexuals come up to me and thank me for representing asexuals. I don't know how that came about. I mean, the man's too busy to have sex."

Invitee Director Lee Daniels. Photo credit: Todd Wawrychuk ©A.M.P.A.S.

Lee Daniels
Profession: Director, producer
Film: "The Paperboy"
Why We Chose This Interview: A day before getting some of the worst reviews out of Cannes after premiering his follow-up to "Precious," "The Paperboy," at the festival, we ran this informal chat with director Lee Daniels who addressed his critics and teased us about a potential reunion with Mariah Carrey, who he worked with in "Precious."
Best Quote: "It’s important to tell your kids that they can do anything. I tell my kids that every day. That you can be president, that you can be an astronaut. Because my dad told me early on that I would be nothing. That you’re a faggot who will be nothing. So I revert back to that when I get negative criticism for the work that I do. It takes me right back to what my dad told me."