Lisa Bonet shares an on-screen moment with John Cusack.

An essential product of the '80s, actress Lisa Bonet is hardly a well-known name nowadays. Those over 25 may recognize Bonet as the rebellious teenage daughter Denise Huxtable in THE COSBY SHOW and A DIFFERENT WORLD which launched her to seemingly reluctant fame back in the early '80s.

Those under 25 may recognize her face in such recent films as ENEMY OF THE STATE and SERPENT'S LIAR. Lately though, Bonet would rather spend her time with her 11-year-old daughter by musician ex-husband Lenny Kravitz and working with underprivileged youths in her self-financed community center Venice Heart (Heart standing for hearing each other and responding together) because she says, "the world sucks and it's not working."

Lisa Bonet surrounded by co-stars Jack Black, Todd Louiso and Cusack.

As the 32-year-old Bonet puts it, "It takes a lot to get me to leave something thats fulfilling to work." Apparently the part of small town singer Marie De Salle in the new film HIGH FIDELITY had what it took. Bonet plays De Salle, a singer who ends up having a little fling with a record storeowner (John Cusack) who is experiencing a time of serious self-reflection after his girlfriend dumps him.

Out on the customary press tour in support of FIDELITY, Bonet spoke with iF about her life philosophies, her dislike of the song choice she had to sing in the film and her most prideful project - working at the center.

1) ON WHERE SHE GOES WHEN SHE VANISHES OFF THE SCREEN FOR YEARS AT A TIME...

"Raising my daughter has been something that has been very important to me and just being focused for her. I've spent a lot of time working on myself and taking care of myself and doing my own personal art and self exploration and then I've also started a community center (Venice Heart) and helping to bring some of what has helped me to other folks. We've been going for four years but I haven't had as much time to spend there lately. Right now the program that I am most involved with is the program at central juvenile hall which is really important to me. Working with the kids who are at most risk of spending 25 to L (life) as they call it - major life sentences."

2) ON HER SINGING DEBUT FOR THE FILM HIGH FIDELITY...

"I never recorded anything before so it was definitely challenging. That was actually one of the reasons I took the part. I knew it would be challenging for me. I wouldn't have done it if I didnt think I could. I was a little reluctant to sing that song to be honest but once I was able to connect with the lyrics and take it on my own it became more meaningful. I thought there must be a better song she can sing? I don't know maybe I am just being a snob - Peter Frampton? But like I said it worked and it's a good song."

3) ON WORKING WITH JOHN CUSACK...

"He's a sweet guy. He was nice. Actually we had a very deep moment. I did the film just a few months after my mom had passed and there was just one day where my grief was very present. He was also very present for me and he just gave me the space and the time that I needed to go through my process. He was good."

4) HER THOUGHTS ON THE CONTROVERSIAL FILM 'ANGEL HEART'...

"Just how silly it was. I was kinda shocked that so many people would take it so seriously. It's just a film. That was kinda an introduction to mainstream America for me. Just how conservative people are. It was cool on set and it was New Orleans and I was 18 and it was just fun to be somewhere different and at the time I was very serious about my acting and so I was being a serious actor."

5) ON WHAT KIND OF SELF-HELP SHE SUBSCRIBES TO...

"There's a lot of work to be done on the inside. Facing the truth about myself and how I feel and facing particular fears that come up. I think the more honest we are able to be with ourselves helps reflect what you see on the outside as well. Lots of yoga and really just taking a look at my certain behavior or fear or impatience or judgements - take a look at it all. If everyone would do that it would be a nicer place."

6) ON HER CLOSEST RELATIONSHIPS TODAY...

"My girlfriends play an important role in my life. My soul sisters - couldn't get through life without them. The pirate sisters."

7) HER THOUGHTS ON MEN...

"I am not the one to ask. I think men are an entirely different creature. One of my friends says they are actually a subspecies because they come from us. They are just an entity all of their own."

8) ON UPCOMING PROJECTS...

"I have some things brewing. I am tired of being the pawn in other people's projects. But there's a whole big world out there that a lot of it doesn't take place in front of a camera."