In an interview with CINEMA correspondent Scott Orlin Alexander Skarsgard talks not only about his art-house thriller "The East" (to be released July 18), but also about the current Season 6 of "True Blood"!
CINEMA: How did you find the script of "The East" ?
ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD: It literally blew me away! The story is intelligent, has depth and is still very entertaining. Almost like an old spy thriller, but with a real message and not preaching all the time. As an actor, you get a lot of scripts and ones like "The East" are really rare. I called and asked my agent from the beach: "I have a great script, when can I meet with Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij? "
C: The two have already worked together as a team. ? Were you familiar with their work?
Alex: I have "Sound of My Voice" and I thought the film was great. When it became clear then that the two were currently in Los Angeles, I got in the car and immediately drove from San Diego to them. Luckily they met me. (Laughs)
C: What was your impression of them?
Alex: They are great! Without question, they are incredibly talented and very down to earth and warm. You can tell that the two have been friends since college. We immediately exchanged ideas for the story and about my character Benji and they were totally open and curious when it came to my suggestions. After the meeting, I immediately called my agent again and said: "No matter what is offered to me in the near future, this is the film I want to make for sure!"
C: Can you understand the motives of the group "The East"?
Alex: I found it extremely exciting to explore the differences of opinion within the group. There are the radical members like Benji and Izzy, but then also people who would not go so far for their beliefs. Many people have great potential frustration against large corporations, which are not held accountable for their reckless turns today. The question with these injustices is how to behave as a citizen? One has only to remember "The Weather Underground." This group that explored the question "Is justice only achieved under the premise of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?" finally divided. How far are you willing to go for your beliefs? Would you commit a crime, hurt or even kill someone? I'm definitely not as militant as Benji but to work out these tensions in the group, I found it very interesting.
C: Benji comes from a rich family. Do you think that has influenced his style of rebellion?
Alex: Because of this, the aspect of "guilt" certainly plays a major role. Not that his family gets some blame for his behavior, rather this fact causes Benji to realizes how money changes people including himself and also how other people respond to it.
C: What is your relationship with money and wealth? Your success may have given you both.
Alex: Career. Technically, "True Blood" changed everything for me. Before that there was a large degree of uncertainty in my life. I sometimes wondered how I would pay my bills next month. That has definitely changed after six seasons of "True Blood". I now have the freedom to reject projects and sometimes to make things really close to my heart - even if it's for no or very little money. "The East", "Disconnect" or "What Maisie Knew" (starts July 11) are all small independent films. And the year before I worked without a salary in "Melancholia." Just to be in a Lars von Trier film to be there. Financial security as a artist definitely gives much more creative freedom. This is great.
C: Benji has so much charisma that he can easily manipulate people. How do you play something convincing?
Alex: It was important that he did not come off as cult leaders. Benji believes in the values ​​of democracy, so there is no hierarchy in the group, they discuss a lot in common and agree on everything. That is why he is so fascinated by Brit's figure Sarah: She awkwardly questions rather than blindly follows. The film raises some interesting moral problems, such as: Is it ok to break the law, I may kill someone doing it, if 30,000 other lives will be saved?
C: Have you found answers to this?
Alex: Personally, I believe in civil disobedience rather than in Benji's radical approach. Many great things have evolved by the protests of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. But the film does not specify any solutions. That's what I like. It does not evaluate, but is thought-provoking.
C: Do you know a very charismatic person?
Alex: Stockholm. My grandmother has a lot of charisma. I've been away from home for six months and will see her again in three weeks - and I am looking forward to it very much.
C: The film highlights many ecological problem areas. Do you think that in this respect Europe is committed?
Alex: The United States is very committed, at least, many people are very aware of the issue. Many companies simply have a lot of power and money, with which they can buy votes and supporters. This can be a problem in many areas. For individuals, no matter how aware and committed they may be, it is almost impossible to fight against such structures. And politics has no conscience on most issues. There it is only important that we are one step ahead of the next election campaign..
C: How optimistic does the future look?
Alex: Actually, I'm not worried. I have a feeling that the younger generation just wakes up. Take the examples of the Occupy Movement or the Arab Spring: the conditions change radically through the Internet. Today we have very different opportunities to exchange views and to get things rolling.
C: Where are you "at home"?
Alex: I have had since last year for the first time in years, ever again a real home. Before that, I lived like a nomad, sleeping on various couches and sometimes even spent two years in the garage of friends. But one day I woke up, I found that I have lived nearly 10 years out of a suitcase and decided to grow up and buy a house. And so I did it.
C: What is your life like?
Alex: Over the past months, it was very stressful. I worked almost nonstop for the new season of "True Blood," and on the free days I had press conferences for my other films. But soon I'll go with some friends for a week after filming to Iceland for hiking. Last year I did a four-week sailing trip across the Atlantic ​​- without phone reception or email, just me and nature - wonderful
C: Would you like to work more in Sweden?
Alex: I love to be in Scandinavia. There are a lot of interesting projects and directors. But to me it is not necessarily about the country where I work, but the story. If it interests me a bit, I'm sure even in the Kalahari Desert.
C: In Sweden there was in recent years some political turmoil, what happened exactly?
Alex: We were always very proud that we have a safe social network, free health insurance and greatstate schools had - just a very equal country. This has changed dramatically in recent years. The income gap has widened - maybe even more than in most countries, but the system has steadily deteriorated and the safety net that was there no longer exists. The protests are directed precisely against this.
C: Would you therefore not go back there?
Alex: No, not at all, I love Sweden. But what worries me are the right tendencies, directed from the political side of the rebellion against the immigrants. Much like in Paris in 2005 and London 2 years ago, where the frustration is discharged from the suburbs to the system. These kids live in poor neighborhoods and have never had the same opportunities as you and me. And when they are striking because they are frustrated that politicians are trying to take the easy way out and send them back to their home country. We must understand that this may not be the right way.
C: You have four brothers, all actors. How is it that no one has become a doctor like your mother?
Alex: It's not entirely true. My brother Sam has studied medicine and is a doctor. We are really boring children: either actors, like my father, or doctors, like my mother. My father was a great dad, but he worked a lot. If I wanted to see him, I had to go to the theater. Our mother has gone through medical studies and incidentally raised six children - that is what I really respect.
C: A final question about "True Blood": There are rumors that Eric dies in the sixth season ...
Alex: We just filmed the last two episodes and I'm still here ... Of course I can not tell what will happen, but Eric definitely does not have an easy time. People have found a way to fight against the vampires - for the first time in 1000 years! Geez, I really need to watch what I say. Just this: There will come a new person in Eric's life.
this is just a stop by to say HELLO.
artyhat:
