Tilda Swinton has said she feels closer to being a dancer than an actor, despite a highly acclaimed film career that includes an Oscar. In an interview with Vogue Japan, the Scottish performer said she identifies with dancers’ bodily authorship and the way their work originates from physical expression.

Swinton, 65, also discussed her long-standing preference for fluidity in dress, recalling that she often wore boys’ hand-me-downs and felt uncomfortable in dresses. Alongside acting, she has worked in performance art, most recently debuting House of Gestures, and has used dance in films including Teknolust; she won the 2008 Oscar and Bafta for Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton.