Pullman prefers 'Surveillance' to 'ID4'

Bill Pullman has admitted that he prefers starring in low-budget movies such as this week's Surveillance to blockbusters like Independence Day.

Speaking to DS, Pullman said that his experience working on the dark indie thriller was more rewarding than his turn as the President in the 1996 box office hit due to his long-standing relationship with director Jennifer Lynch.

He said: "This is the kind of movie where, because I've known Jennifer for so long, because I feel like it was a full-blooded film... It wasn't compromised in any way from her vision, she's a strong visionary, tapping it out everyday.

"The kind of challenges that come with independent film, keeping the money going and seeing the limitations as an opportunity are a really great thing. You don't often have the journey that Surveillance has - opening up at Cannes with a standing ovation and you're standing there with a great friend, it's a deeply satisfying thing."

Pullman added that he almost turned down the film because he felt it was too brutal, saying: "I was not planning to do the movie and an actor dropped out towards the start of filming and I had told [Lynch] that I was not feeling ready for that turf but she said, 'You've gotta think about it'.

"Somehow, looking at the script again in a braver moment, I said, 'Let's do it'. I'm really glad I did because it was a really rich experience on a lot of different levels."

Surveillance is released in cinemas this Friday.

> Click here for our full interview with Bill Pullman