Franco: I'll use 'ugly' shots to make film better

James Franco didn't cut his "ugly" scenes from 'As I Lay Dying'.

The actor-and-director found himself both in front of and behind the camera for the new adaptation of William Faulkner's 1930 novel - which held its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival yesterday - and he says he fought the temptation to cut scenes in which scenes he looked "bad or ugly" because they might enhance the story.

Speaking at Cannes yesterday, he said: "If I look bad or ugly but it's helping to tell the story in a better way, that's what I'll use."

To prepare for his dual role, Franco revealed he studied past interviews with fellow actor-directors Ben Affleck and Warren Beatty, who found it difficult to give their performances their all in their own films.

The star admits he'd often rush through his acting scenes so he could get back behind the camera, but learned to give his acting performance as much attention as his co-stars.

He said: "You don't give your performance as much time and care as the other. But you need to think about the overall movie, which you're hopefully making because you care about it. Give your performance the same kind of attention as everything else."