New York Times actors gallery

This weekend’s New York Times Magazine showcases exclusive photos and videos of 14 actors who defined cinema in 2010, including:

• James Franco
• Natalie Portman (who graces the cover)
• Jennifer Lawrence
• Chloe Moretz.
• Matt Damon
• Michael Douglas
• Jesse Eisenberg
• Javier Bardem
• Robert Duvall
• Annette Bening
• Anthony Mackie
• Noomi Rapace
• Tilda Swinton
• Lesley Manville
• Vincent Cassel

Directed by fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo and music by Owen Pallett, here they are striking some of the classic attitudes of cinema, turning their bodies and faces into instruments of pure, deep and enigmatic emotion. You will, of course, recognize them immediately and admire their grace, daring and skill. But you also may be startled to see how thoroughly themselves they are in the midst of pretending otherwise. This year’s great performers show — with a few gestures and props but without dialogue or story — what acting is.