Robert Pattinson has joked it was tortuous being on the other side of the lens for his new movie, Life.

The former Twilight star plays photographer Dennis Stock in Anton Corbijn’s film, which chronicles the friendship between him and Hollywood actor James Dean (played by Dane DeHaan) after they work together on a shoot for Life magazine.

“I do feel like being a paparazzi for a second – I do empathise with their plight,” the 28-year-old actor quipped. “I was filled with self-loathing, wretchedness – I wanted to really kind of harm myself at the end of every day.”

Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan
Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Rob attended the film’s premiere at the Berlin Film Festival with co-star Dane at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Dane said: “It’s a movie about two artists who get to know each other through working with each other, and I feel that’s what we did on this film.”

Dane DeHaan, director Anton Corbijn, actress Alessandra Mastronardi, and Robert Pattinson
Dane and Rob with director Anton Corbijn and co-star Alessandra Mastronardi (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Since leaving his Twilight role of vampire Edward Cullen, Rob has starred in dystopian thriller The Rover and David Cronenberg’s dark drama Maps To The Stars. He will be seen in Werner Herzog’s upcoming drama Queen Of The Desert alongside Nicole Kidman and James Franco.

He said of his loyal followers: “You just hope people enjoy every week that you do. I’m doing stuff that’s all very different so it’s quite surprising when I see them enjoying this, The Rover and stuff like that.”

Life will be released in UK cinemas on September 25.