Portman has high hopes for recession

LONDON: Hollywood actress Natalie Portman is determined to see the positive side of the global economic downturn - she's convinced the international recession will allow people to rethink their priorities.

The Star Wars actress, who filmed a FunnyOrDie comedy sketch about the financial crisis last year (08), insists workers who are now worse off will be able to get their lives back on track and find the career they have always wanted.

She says, "I think it's kind of an exciting time. I mean, everyone is cutting back. It's happening in every industry - including our own. All of a sudden, people are doing jobs that they hate and they're not making as much money as they thought they would or they've lost their jobs entirely. I've started to see people looking more toward their own passions and what really excites them."