Oscar Winner Russell Crowe to Visit CBS SUNDAY MORNING, 4/19

Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe these days likes directing films more than starring in them, he tells Seth Doane in an interview for CBS SUNDAY MORNING WITH CHARLES OSGOOD to be broadcast April 19 (9:00 AM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.

Crowe makes his first major commercial film directing debut in "The Water Diviner," a film that will reach American theaters on April 24. In addition to directing the film, Crowe is also the film's star. "The Water Diviner" has earned a number of awards in Australia. However, Crowe says he finds his role behind the camera more appealing than in front.

"It's an understanding what the art form really is," Crowe tells Doane. "It's understanding that it's about composition. It's about color. It's about levels of emotional, levels of tension. And it's just a very complete - in fact, the most complete artistic experience that I've ever had. Because so much is under your control."

Crowe, one of Hollywood's biggest stars, tells Doane he eventually would like to direct a film he's not in, but right now, economics are a driving factor. "Well, here's the simple mathematical equation," Crowe says. "If I direct it and I'm in it, I'll have a budget of 'x.' If I direct it, but I'm not in it, I have 'x-minus' - so as a director you want as many assets as you can possibly have."

Doane visits Crowe at his ranch in Australia, where they discuss his acting career, buying an Australian rugby team in 2006, the transition to being a director, and his sanctuary far away from Hollywood.

"Well, this is the island, you know?" Crowe tells Doane of his place in Australia, which is more than 7,000 miles away from Hollywood. "You come in behind the gate and you're not a brand name anymore."

CBS SUNDAY MORNING is broadcast Sundays (9:00-10:30 AM, ET) on the CBS Television Network. Rand Morrison is the executive producer.
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