colin29339: What did you think of the virgin suicides?
KIRSTEN: It's a coming of age story and it's got a melancholy feel to it. It's told through the eyes of the boys who live across the street and they look at these girls as luminous goddesses almost and they put them up on a pedestal. It's like a teenage obsession that you get over people and about these girls' lives and how quickly it ended because of how their parents raised them. I don't think you can catagorize this as a teen movie. There is such a depth to this movie. It's also an adult film and it's such a beautiful movie to watch. All the actors came together so well. I can't really compare it to those movies though.

waterbug86: Which is more fun, television or film?
KIRSTEN: I like both. I like movies. I don't think I'd be able to handle a TV show because I think I'd get bored doing the same character over and over again. Or I could be really into it and just develop it more and more. I love changing the scene. That's one thing I don't know if I could do but I did enjoy the time I spent doing ER. I like doing little parts on TV shows.

Traumwelt1: Do you think of yourself as a role model to other teens out there or do they model themselves after the characters you play?
KIRSTEN: In interviews and everything people really know who I am so I'm not worried about people modeling themselves over who they think I am. I'm a really good girl for this industry I have to say. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I've stayed in school. I don't think people model themselves after the characters I play. I remember when I was little I used to think I wanted to be like that when I grow up. Lux isn't the kind of character people should see as a role model or at least I hope.

dthomasc_2000: Kirsten, do you miss being a normal teenager?

KIRSTEN: Sometimes it's hard to be accepted at school. Sometimes I feel awkward coming back after I've been gone for so long but my friends all stick up for me if anyone says any bad stuff about me. I have a good team of friends who support me. We all have our own things going on. My friend Cindy has her spots, and Molly loves to sing and do that. We all have our own thing so it's not competitive. I don't think I've missed anything because my Mom, my manager and my agents have always made sure that I've been there for the really important things that I've wanted to go to. Like my prom, my graduation is coming up and like I've been on trips for school that I really wanted to go on. They really make sure I get to go to the things that I want to go on. My mom is totally opposite from the Mom Kathleen Turner plays in this movie. She's really great. She's one of the strongest women I knew. She has such a fun spirit and a good energy. She is an amazing person and has always been there for me.

adambringhurst: Do you have plans to go to college?
KIRSTEN: I definitely want to go to college. I don't want to go right away. I'll take some time off. I want to major in Literature at Sarah Lawrence or NYU or Colombia or one of the east coast schools.

jillis44: How old are you?
KIRSTEN: I'm 17.

waterbug86: How do you handle school and acting?
KIRSTEN: It's very stressful. I have a tutor on the set but no one cares. They are like we need Kirsten on the set right when I'm in the middle of doing a final so it's really hard. Luckily I've had really good tutors who have helped me out. My school has been so understanding of me going away and coming back. My teachers have been really cool about it. That's what you need. Good people surrounding you.

Traumwelt1: How did you get this role? Did you go after it or did it come to you?
KIRSTEN: What's meant to be is meant to be. This role just kind of fell in my lap almost and I knew it would be perfect for me to play. It isn't really an adult role but it just shows that I can handle more mature subjects. I've always been able to but I think it's important to reinforce it. When I played Claudia I was younger and so I always have to keep proving myself. Because I started so young you are judged harder I think.

virgin_suicides_2000: how was working with Sofia Coppola in her directorial debut?
KIRSTEN: I could see the talent in her just when I was talking with her. This movie was her love, her baby.

Traumwelt1: Did you do any research to prepare for this role?
KIRSTEN: I listened to a lot of 70's music and before doing this movie I did Dick which was very 70's too so I was already in the 70's mode. Getting into the clothing and music helps you get into it.

kirstendunstlover: How did you like working with James Woods and Kathleen Turner in The Virgin Suicides?

KIRSTEN: It was really cool watching them. On the page their roles were miniscule but every little detail they do they just do it so well. James was so good at improvising. Everyone really made the movie feel as if you're watching real life.

rodrigoa_cl: Do you have brothers?
KIRSTEN: Yes. One brother. He's 13.

colin29339: Do you fight with your brother a lot?
KIRSTEN: My brother and I get along really well.

CoolDan989: What was the best project you've worked on?
KIRSTEN: I really enjoyed working on this one. I felt like I was going to summer camp everyday. We shot it in the summer time and everyone that was there wanted to be there. It was a labor of love. Everything clicked so perfectly. Our costume designer was great, the cinematographer was great, Sophia is so wonderful and really had her heart in this film. When someone cares as much as she does it really motivates you to want to be the best that you can be.

BigStar_Host: Thank you for being with us today to talk about your new movie "The Virgin Suicides."
KIRSTEN: Thanks for having me.