She seems like the hardest working woman in films, with seventeen credits to her name since her big screen debut five years ago in "Two Days In The Valley". But Charlize Theron insists this is far from the case.

Having recently completed the thought-provoking melodrama "Sweet November", Theron confesses that the philosophy of her character in that film – to slow down from the helter skelter of modern life, and focus on what is truly important – is one she shares.

"I think that’s a good way to view the quality of life," she explains, "to realise how valuable and how short it is for all of us."

For some life is more fragile, and more brief, than for others – a point developed further in the film. Meeting some people in real life who, for whatever reason, know that their time is short was a humbling experience for the actress, an eye opener that contrasted with the often frivolous world of celebrity and stardom.

"I hung out with one young guy who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and he said to me that he considered himself very lucky, because he knows he will have a short life and he has the knowledge to make every day count. I think that’s a good philosophy to live by.

"It’s impossible to make a movie like this and not walk away feeling those things. And it doesn’t matter what your occupation is, it’s your choice to live your life well, and make time for the things that are important to you."