It's somewhat astonishing that Gary Oldman has never been nominated for an Oscar, but the veteran actor will be competing in the best actor race at the 84th Academy Awards -- for his nominated performance as taciturn agent George Smiley in the slow-burning drama "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." 24 Frames caught up with Oldman in Berlin, where he's preparing for the German premiere of the movie. 

"It's very fitting that I'm in the city which was the mecca for spies and where eventually Smiley gets his man," Oldman said. "So I hear about an Oscar nomination in Berlin for playing George Smiley. I mean a screenwriter couldn't put it together better."

How did you find out about the nomination?

I was actually giving an interview -- it's nearly 5 p.m. here -- for a German newspaper, and my manager came in and looked a little teary-eyed and shook my hand and said, "Congratulations you're an Oscar nominee."

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What does this movie mean to you, your first Oscar nomination?

I'm very proud of the film. And really it’s been quite a ride. We had a huge success in the U.K., and we opened in America to incredible reviews and amazing box office. It continues to make money. I'm proud of my work in it and the film and everyone involved. So, to be nominated is one thing but to be nominated particularly for this film and this role, it's a nice feeling.

Who else do you like in this year’s race?

I've seen a great many of them. Some are nominated, and some are not. I'm a George Clooney fan. And I love Brad Pitt. I love Ryan Gosling.

Do you have a favorite Clooney film in this race?

I like him as a director. And I thought he was particularly good in "The Ides of March." That's not to say I don't like him in "The Descendants." I had seen the play, and I liked what he did with that story. I thought he and his co-workers did a very nice adaptation of it.