For Colin Farrell , portraying broken characters in his latest works, “Ballad of a Small Player” and “The Penguin,” has offered a chance not only to lean into new emotional and physical challenges, but also embrace the near possession that comes with performing under heavy makeup.

Farrell discussed his latest works at the Zurich Film Festival , where he presented Edward Berger ’s gambling drama and accepted the event’s Golden Icon Award.

The Irish actor also spoke openly about his eventful career, which took off with Joel Schumacher’s 2000 Vietnam War-era film “Tigerland,” leading to major Hollywood films like Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report,” Oliver Stone’s “Alexander” and Michael Mann’s “Miami Vice” before waning as a result of his own personal excesses.

In playing Lord Doyl

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