Dark roles leave Charlize Theron feeling a little blue

Charlize Theron knows exactly what kind of antics her dark, self-centered Young Adult character Mavis Gary would pull during awards season.

Here, she would probably get a little tipsy, said Theron with a laugh at the Parker Palm Springs this past weekend, just before accepting Varietys Indie Impact award. And I have a feeling she would pretend to be Mary Hart. In her head that would be what you do at an awards ceremony.

Theron, in a green Preen dress, looked refreshed at the luncheon after accepting an award with her Young Adult cast Saturday night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival gala. Over coffee, omelettes and fruit, she talked about her recent selection of tough roles, which include Prometheus and Snow White and the Huntsman, in which she plays the Evil Queen.

Somebody pointed out to me that Im doing like three movies back to back that I play a (expletive starting with b), she said. And I realized you know, Picasso had his blue period. This may very well just be my (expletive starting with b) period. Im OK with that.

Its so crazy to have all of this nice stuff on top of the experience, which was a gift, she said. Her first Golden Globes dress fitting is Tuesday, and although she has no idea what shell be wearing, Its always nice to go to the prom and feel like a princess, she said. I dont really in movies (anymore). I tend to wear sweats and dirty T-shirts.

Patton Oswalt toasted his Young Adult co-star from the stage, hailing her as an actress who can transition easily from small, powerful films to blockbusters driven by green screens and CGI. There are a lot of gorgeous actresses you see in films, he said. And Charlize is the most gorgeous of the gorgeous and could have very easily been ... oh dont hide that beautiful face, he teased, as Theron blushed and called out for a Bloody Mary.

But, he continued, I keep watching her take these chances, its the equivalent of someone shoving all their chips on the same color and number and (saying) Le! ts go fo r broke.

Onstage, Theron emphasized the importance of art-house movies in her life. I feel 100 per cent sure that I have the career that I have today because of independent filmmaking, she said, name-checking Patty Jenkins, who directed her to an Oscar in Monster.

Among the 10 Directors to Watch, was Matt Piedmont, whose film Casa de mi Padre, starring Will Ferrell, makes its debut in March.

He and Ferrell met on SNL, when Piedmont was a writer on the show and Ferrell was a cast member. It was his idea, to do the Spanish-language film, said Piedmont. He had to learn the language in two months. And I really think its one of his best performances.

Not to mention that taking chances , a la Theron, can pay off in spades.

I think hes smart in that the business is changing, said Piedmont. Hes taking a lot of chances and he has the range to do it.