We decided to profile Mr. Reeves for the first performer profile. Why? We like his movies. After 35 years in the business, he continues to be relevant.
Tag: actor
God’s Own Country
Critically acclaimed at Sundance, screening at the 67th Berlinale Panorama Section to great reviews, first time director Francis Lee delivers a poignant story of an emotionally struggling young man coming to grips with his sexuality in Northern England.
God’s Own Country is not about a gay relationship but about two people on journey of discovery. I decided not the label the film “Queer Cinema” because the feelings of the young protagonists are universal not bound by sexuality or physical attraction. The director drew out exceptional performances from newcomers Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu as two men struggling to make sense of their feelings for each other.
Actor, Director, and Writer, Francis Lee interview with Black and Paper at the Berlinale.
How do you feel about the Broke Back Mountain comparison?
I loved that film. It was well acted and directed. But the main difference with my film is the relationship could survive. God’s Own Country is a story of a personal journey not about sexuality.
As a first feature with main gay characters, were you nervous about being classified as an LGBT Director?
NO! I like raw emotional stories, interesting engaging characters. God’s Own Country was the first film I wrote.
Given the subject material, how did you communicate with actors Josh and Alec?
I did not know then before the casting which was a long process. We worked with great Casting agents in London and Bucharest.
When I saw Josh I knew there was something and he wanted to do the film. There were great actors in Bucharest but with Alec it felt right because we shared the same working style.
I had a very close relationship with them. Three months before production I worked with them on developing the characters. We started from scratch, adding all the details like where is the bed in the room, etc. They had to work on a farm weeks before the camera rolled because I did not want stand ins or hand shots, I wanted as authentic as possible. When production rolled they knew their characters.
After the shoot we became comrades. I took them on an emotional journey so I could not abandon them.
As a director I believe in protecting the actors.
Have you been surprised by the response to the film?
Overwhelmed! I had no expectations. At Sundance it was all positive. I think when people see the film it unlocks emotions.
Is this a romantic film?
It is a love story. I am a big fan of films about hope.
How did you work with the Cinematography?
The landscape as seen by Johnny is about hard work. That is how the terrain affects him. You see him humped over, closed. We contained the shots.
What were the shooting conditions in the Yorshire?
Tough! The weather, the animals were unpredictable. We had to carry equipment up the hills. The roads were not so good.
We had the sheep farmer call us when there was a lamb was born. Those scenes were real. We did not kill one for the film. The number one occupation of sheep and lamb is death.
The farm is owned by a friend of my dad.
How much of Johnny is in you?
He is not me. It is not autobiographical. The landscape is from my childhood. Johnny comes from a tight family unit. His family loves him but they know if he leaves the farm is finished. They see the change in him when Gheorghe arrives.
A Black and Paper film recommendation.
God’s Own Country was screened at the 67th Berlinale in Panorama.
Categories
Berlinale Shooting Stars Ebsen Smed
Esben Smed from Denmark- A bit of a cold smoldering charm, a graduate of the Danish School of Performing Arts, Esben is a regular in the television series Follow The Money.
What type of role attracts you as a performer?
Not just one type but something that gets my attention. I like to research and discover a character’s traits. I like looking for the unknown.
What was your first acting role?
I had a small role in a theater play when I was 15. I got good feedback.
What inspired to become an actor?
I was interning at a theater building the scenes or sets. I saw the actors rehearsing. I read the scripts/ The theater manager asked me to go out for a casting. I did. I got the part.
What performer inspires you the most?
Daniel Day Lewis, Casey Affleck, and Joaquin Phoenix, I watch their work and I find it inspiring.
What are your future goals?
I want to have another baby.
Career goals?
More work. I have a number of projects in the works.
The European Shooting Stars is a program designed to focus the spotlight on young acting talent. Each year a jury chooses 10 performers with screen experience to be presented at the Berlinale as the Stars of Tomorrow.
Louis Hofmann from Germany A young face on the scene with a radiant smile, he has raked up an impressive list of awards and credits. Louis will star in Netflix series Dark.
What type of roles would you like to play?
I like dramatic, characters on the edge of existence, real problems. I played a comedic role. It was a great space. So now I would like have a mixture.
What was your first acting role?
A very small role in a television series “Danni Lowinski”, I was 11. I had two words, “F*ck You! And I shot a birdie.
What inspired you to become an actor?
When I 10 or 11 I spoke to actors about what they did. The way they described it, I was fascinated. I begged my mother to sign me up with an agent. When I was 13 I got the lead in the German version of Tom Sawyer the film. Acting is self-therapy for me.
Is there a performer you admire the most?
I have three, Leo DiCaprio and Eddie Redmayne and Tom Schilling.
What are your future plans?
I am shooting the series Dark for Netflix working with Beran Bo Odar and Jentje Friese. The show will air at the end of the year.
What are your career ambitions?
I would like to mix working internationally and locally. When I worked in Denmark on a co-production I learned there was a different approach to making films.
Tudor Aaron Istodor from Romania A graduate of the national University of Drama and Cinematography, Tudor been in 3 feature films as well he has appeaered in the BBC series The Plantagenets. I found him to be optimistic.
What type of roles would you prefer?
Any role! I want contemporary, classic, as long as it is interesting.
What was your first acting role?
It was in the 11th grade in high school, My father is an actor. I went to him for advice about a school poetry contest. I had no idea what to do. He said, “Do what you like?” I did.
What inspired you to become an actor?
I don’t want to have a work a single day in my life. I enjoy playing roles, acting. I can do different things all the time.
Is there a performer you admire the most?
John Coltrane. He found Love Supreme!
What are your professional ambitions?
I want to work in international movies and projects. I have agent in France but I want to go further.
What are your future plans?
I want to have a baby.
The European Shooting Stars is a program designed to focus the spotlight on young acting talent. Each year a jury chooses 10 performers with screen experience to be presented at the Berlinale as the Stars of Tomorrow.