Heather (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} heat622) wrote,@ 2006-09-16 15:14:00 |
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12 September 2006
In cinema Diego Luna has been a hacker, a cowboy, a vampire hunter, a “charolastra” and a dancer. This weekend he will appear as a journalist in the film Sólo Dios Sabe (Only God Knows) by Carlos Bolado and in a few more months we will see him in the shoes of Michael Jackson in the film Mister Lonely, for which he learned some steps of the so-called “king of pop”.
“Being Michael Jackson the whole day is not so easy... It was very exciting for the whole process of characterization. It is a movie that is a little schizophrenic because I, me the actor, play a guy that does not want to be himself and wants to be another person. And the character that he chooses (Jackson) is a guy that does not want to be himself and wants to be another person, and he shuts himself up in a strange world and wants to live like a child throughout his whole life,” Diego explained with humor.
The film, shot this summer in Paris, France, will also have other celebrity appearances like Marilyn Monroe (Samantha Morton), Charlie Chaplin (Denis Lavat), James Dean (Josheph Morgan) and film maker Werner Herzog (" Aguirre, God's anger ").
Besides the premiere of Sólo Dios Sabe, in which he is also the producer, Diego perfects the last details of his documentary on Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez.
Q: What is Mister Lonely about, the movie by Harmony Korine that you have just filmed in
Diego: It’s about the story of a Michael Jackson impersonator. It is one of the craziest scripts that I’ve done. It’s very entertaining and is a nice story. Basically it tackles the love between two impersonators, one of Michael Jackson who lives in Paris, he does nothing well, and one day meets a Marilyn Monroe impersonator who convinces him to go live in a commune in where only impersonators live. He takes the trip with her and comes to a wonderful world where they all share the same need to want to be another person.”
Q: You had to put yourself in Michael Jackson’s shoes?
Diego: Yes, I got to. I took to the dance and learned the steps and all that. It was very intense. One does not try to be Michael Jackson, only an imitator. That is to say, a guy that does not want to be the same. It was not a question of being as good as
Q: What was the most interesting thing about the experience (the filming)?
Diego: To work with really cool people. Werner Herzong acts, Samantha Morton who I believe is the best English actress, and French actor Benny Lavant. It’s a small, low budget movie, but with really good people.
Q: In Sólo Dios Sabe you play a journalist. How did you prepare this character?
Diego: Damián is a person very near to Carlos Bolado. And I was inspired by Carlos Puig (emerging journalist from Proceso), not of now, but in his earlier stories. That is to say, a guy that’s not sure what he wants to do in his life, but has a need of knowledge and this is what it takes for journalism. He’s a guy that is capable of driving to
Q: In the movie there are topics that touch you deeply?
Diego: Yes indeed, like the loss of the mother; the idea that orphans go through life looking for family. I share that very much and that's why I devote myself to what I devote myself to.
Q: Do you look much like Damián's character?
Diego: There are things that I understand very well. People believe that it is easier when you interpret yourself, but when it feels so personal and deep for you, sometimes you have a mental block and that happened during the shooting, because I am speaking about personal topics. I met Carlos Bolado long ago in the Guadalajara Festival and we chatted a lot about our things. We found many similarities in our stories. And one day Yissel Ibarra, his producer, said to me that Carlos was writing a script and wanted to known if I wanted to do it, for he was writing it with me in mind. It was a little strange, but it was not very difficult for me to say yes and hence it was put together.
Q: There are two very important topics that the film touches on; the first one is abortion...
Diego: Abortion should be a topic that we talk about more. And that should also be legislated to protect violated women. It is a very delicate subject and I believe what my character says: it does not matter what we decide, the only important thing is that we decide together. There must be a law that protects mothers who are not ready; that cannot have a child; that must not have a child; to violated mothers. I believe that legally there should be the option for many cases where abortion should be legal.
Q: And parenthood…
Diego: The moment to want to be parents comes worldwide, perhaps consciously or unconsciously.
Q: Has it come to you?
Diego: No, but I love children and believe that when it comes to me I am going to have to operate quickly because if not, we are going to over populate this city more. Parenthood must be an incredible gift. What’s more, people that used to be disagreeable become cool. People that were not good start to go move ahead. You cannot give in to an idiot and you realize what world you are going to have a child and if you have the necessary things to live. Today the world is more made up of individuals; children give us another great perspective.
Q: What risks did you find being the producer of Sólo Dios Sabe?
Diego: The first is the financial one. Others came later, because you involve a lot of people and you have to respond to them. When you are an actor, people are expecting things from you. But as producer this burden is major because you involve people in all branches, like financiers, technicians, actors, etc.
Q: Felipe Calderón has been declared president elect. What hopes do you have from him in culture and cinema?
Diego: I don’t want to talk about that anymore. The only thing I can say is that this country is a zoo. Someone left the cages open. He’s an asshole…
Q: Are you tired of the paparazzi? Because now they chase you everywhere…
Diego: Yes, now there are paparazzi in
Q: How do you take these kinds of photos?
Diego: The truth is it makes me sad that this is what one talks about us. It’s sad that they dedicate space to it and leave out so many things... They are very interested in to whom you give a kiss, but they care less when you release your work of theater, exhibition or when you publish your book. I understand that there is a market, that it’s a business, but there should be an interest of the people of means to create a balance and give the public what I ask, but that can also serve it. It does also not affect me so much (the paparazzi). One learns to slip away and sometimes when they’ve already caught you, you don’t even hide. Those who do this must have a very boring life, because mine continues to be equally entertaining.
Q: What stage is the Julio César Chávez documentary in?
Diego: I am finishing the editing, on the verge of closing the track in order to do post sound production.
Q: In what moment did you realize that you wanted to direct?
Diego: I’d always realized that one day I wanted to direct, and not only a documentary but also fiction or theater. I believe that the documentary is the easiest way to find my voice; this voice that is going to tell you this story. That's why I chose this genre. But somehow I always knew that I wanted to take part in this; that I do (cinema) in all sides. And when you’ve met all sides, the final destination is that of direction.
Q: What plans do you have with the documentary?
Diego: First to finish it, and later to show it to the whole world. (The documentary tour) "Ambulante" demonstrated that documentary has the highest commercial potential. And not that it’s making a documentary to become rich, but so that people see it. Documentaries are already in theatres, like 'En el hoyo' (In the Hole), 'Tarnation' y 'El hombre oso' (The Bear Man). And I would like to see if my documentary gains itself a small opening in this niche.
Q: Is it true that for this movie you interviewed ex-president Carlos
Diego: Who said that to you? It is a question that I prefer not answering now.
Q: When will your TV/radio commercial of American Express be ready?
Diego: Soon. Filming it was something really cool. We filmed for four days under the direction of Jim Sheridan, the one who did ‘My left foot’, ‘In the name of the father’, and is the director who’s worked most with Daniel Day-Lewis, my favorite actor. To meet
Translated from: http://www.nuevoexcelsior.com.mx/Excelsi
