“I love making films -- the whole business of bringing something to life and sharing it with people,” said British director Stephen Frears in a telephone interview from Denver while promoting his latest movie, Mrs. Henderson Presents. Surprisingly, Frears didn’t set out to be a filmmaker. “I drifted into it by accident,” he explained. “I went to work in the theater, and Karel Reisz said ‘Come along and make a film with me’ -- and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

After serving as assistant director on Reisz’s Morgan in 1966, Frears completed his first solo directing assignment in 1971 with Gumshoe, starring Albert Finney. To date, the Oscar-nominated director (for The Grifters) has made over 40 movies, including numerous television films. Three of my personal favorites are Dirty Pretty Things, The Hi-Lo Country and Dangerous Liaisons.

What drew Frears to Mrs. Henderson Presents? “I thought it would be an entertaining film that people would enjoy,” Frears replied. The movie is about an elderly widow, played by Judi Dench, who buys an old theater in pre-World War II London and, in order to increase attendance, talks her theater manager (Bob Hoskins) into featuring productions with attractive young ladies posing nude. 

Voted the Audience Award at Denver’s Film Festival this year (“I didn’t even know it played here,” Frears confessed), Mrs. Henderson Presents has also been honored with three Golden Globe nominations. In addition to a Best Picture (musical or comedy) and Best Supporting Actor nomination for Bob Hoskins, Judi Dench received a nod for Best Actress and is gaining considerable Oscar buzz for her performance. “It’s a privilege to work with her,” Frears declared. “She’s a wonderful, brilliant actress. She’s skillful and knows how to do it. But it’s her qualities as a woman that I admire. She’s so lively and interesting.”

What’s next? “I’m working on a film about the present Queen of England. It stars Helen Mirren. But I don’t know when it’s coming out. I have to finish it first,” Frears stated.

Although not one to give expansive answers, Frears made it clear he’s happy he “drifted” into filmmaking. “It proves the existence of God -- that something could be found that’s so suitable for a fellow like me,” he said. “I never expected to have such an interesting life. It’s full of pleasant surprises. It takes you to so many places, and you meet so many interesting people. I never thought I’d come to America, and I never imagined I’d be sitting in a Denver hotel and talking with you on the phone.” 

Stephen Frears may be a man of few words -- but he definitely knows how to end an interview on a positive note.

(Mrs. Henderson Presents, released by The Weinstein Company, opens in Denver, Colorado, on February 3, 2006.)