Theron mines the human condition

Charlize Theron, up for an Academy Award for her moving portrayal of a Minnesota iron miner, says exploring the human condition is what drives her career - and that she couldn't care less about celebrity.

The South African-born actor collected an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a British BAFTA and a Silver Bear in Berlin in 2003 and 2004 for her role as a serial killer in Monster.

North Country, directed by New Zealander Niki Caro, is based on a true story which led to the first collective sexual harassment court case in the United States.