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Oscars 2012: Gary Oldman talks about nomination, George Clooney

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It’s somewhat astonishing that Gary Oldman has never been nominated for an Oscar, but the veteran actor will be competing in the best actor race at the 84th Academy Awards -- for his nominated performance as taciturn agent George Smiley in the slow-burning drama ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.’ 24 Frames caught up with Oldman in Berlin, where he’s preparing for the German premiere of the movie.

‘It’s very fitting that I’m in the city which was the mecca for spies and where eventually Smiley gets his man,’ Oldman said. ‘So I hear about an Oscar nomination in Berlin for playing George Smiley. I mean a screenwriter couldn’t put it together better.’

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How did you find out about the nomination?

I was actually giving an interview -- it’s nearly 5 p.m. here -- for a German newspaper, and my manager came in and looked a little teary-eyed and shook my hand and said, ‘Congratulations you’re an Oscar nominee.’

FULL COVERAGE: The Oscar nominees

What does this movie mean to you, your first Oscar nomination?

I’m very proud of the film. And really it’s been quite a ride. We had a huge success in the U.K., and we opened in America to incredible reviews and amazing box office. It continues to make money. I’m proud of my work in it and the film and everyone involved. So, to be nominated is one thing but to be nominated particularly for this film and this role, it’s a nice feeling.

Who else do you like in this year’s race?

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I’ve seen a great many of them. Some are nominated, and some are not. I’m a George Clooney fan. And I love Brad Pitt. I love Ryan Gosling.

Do you have a favorite Clooney film in this race?

I like him as a director. And I thought he was particularly good in ‘The Ides of March.’ That’s not to say I don’t like him in ‘The Descendants.’ I had seen the play, and I liked what he did with that story. I thought he and his co-workers did a very nice adaptation of it.

Do you get any time to celebrate?

No. I’ve got to now get into my suit and present this movie in Berlin. But it feels terrific for this one.

The following video is from the Envelope Directors Roundtable. Here, filmmakers George Clooney (‘The Ides of March’), Stephen Daldry (‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’), Michel Hazanavicius (‘The Artist’), Alexander Payne (‘The Descendants’) and Martin Scorsese (‘Hugo’) sat down with The Times’ John Horn at the recent Envelope Directors Roundtable and talked about the importance and challenges of assembling a good cast.

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PHOTOS: 84th Academy Awards nominees

‘The Artist,’ Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ shine brightest

-- Nicole Sperling

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