Interview

On The third of November 2004, Muslim extremists assassinated director Theo Van Gogh because of his inglorious portrayals of their culture and beliefs. Did he deserve this merciless fate? No, of course not. Because everyone in this world is entitled to an opinion and if Van Gogh wished to express his using the medium of cinema, he had every right to it. This "Interview" dates from the year before the controversial filmmaker's death. It's a typical Van Gogh film, entirely set in one interior location and introducing two main characters constantly talking. It actually looks a lot like that other film of his, "06", only the protagonists are now face-to-face, while "06" exclusively featured two people talking over the phone. I admit I started (and continued) watching "Interview" for the most shallow reason possible: the starring of Katja Schuurman. This ravishing Dutch actress has the face of an angel, the voice of a siren and a booty that would even make the most popular Hollywood actress jealous. In this, she plays the part of a successful actress who gets interviewed by some sort of Bosnian paparazzi guy. They constantly argue, play with each other's feelings etc etc etc… The script is tedious and nowhere near original or compelling. Although it probably was Van Gogh's intention, it totally doesn't feel like an artistic piece of cinema, as there's no style to detect anywhere. Not even a bit of exceptional camera-work or memorable music. This is a complete failure and I don't really feel obliged to give it more praise simply because the maker is death. Avoid! Watching a train rush by is more exciting than this.

Obviously, you have to judge this for what it is and that's a low budget film. The effort is certainly worthy of praise. Theo van Gogh is a gifted director, Thomas Kist a good DP and the actors do a fine job. The film's problem lies in it's screenplay. Yes, Holman has created self-conscious characters and given them confrontational, brutally honest lines that certainly exceed the quality of dialogue in the average Dutch production, but I didn't find the characters psychologically valid, especially Katja's. They never struck me as real people. Holman doesn't display a true understanding of the human psyche, which is unfortunate for a psychological thriller. Therefore, it could have been better.

At first, I was not interested in this movie. Mainly because I don't particularly like Van Gogh and Katja Schuurmans. His movies were 'too arty farty' for my taste and I detest his manners (or lack of them). And I regarded Katja as a nice piece of ass who wasn't a real actress. How wrong could I be...

I decided to rent the DVD after reading reviews and I was pleasantly surprised. I don't know if it was the intention of Van Gogh to hold up a mirror in front of people like me, but that's the effect the movie had on me.

The same way I didn't regard Katja as a proper actress, the character of Pierre Bokma didn't take her seriously either. In return, Katja had an attitude towards people (like Bokma) because they don't take her seriously as an actress. In a way, this is reflected in the choice of the cast. Katja is a soapy and Bokma is a classic play actor. I found it quite refreshing to see Katja act very well. Even playing that she played a role (towards Bokma) came out very good. She really has a talent and actually can act. I was both delighted and ashamed of myself that I had judged Katja only because she played in a soap and looks gorgeous... I still don't like movies like Costa! but I'm not the target audience for those kind of movies. Interview is very well written, well played and if you like to see a great little gem of a movie, go see this.

In a way nothing much happens in this movie, but the incredible tension of love/hate between the main characters really captures you and sucks you in. Excellent acting. If you're a guy and don't like dramas it is still worth seeing it for the scene where Katja (the character) watches here own TV series :)

9/10

Dutch film director Theo Van Gogh has always made it a point to shock his audiences.All of his films have been successful in that respect. Interview is a film which has its own elements of shock value.At the core of this film are a famous actress and a not so unknown journalist who knows the art of manipulating things.The good thing about them is that they are elementary symbols of arts and its relevance in our contemporary society.This is something which must be construed as this film's redeeming aspect.There is enough shock for audience as in Interview what starts as a slick television exercise slowly gets degenerated into an artistic huis clos where human emotions are challenged in order to play a game of winner or loser.This game is nicely fought as it signifies the victory of a common man over an influential person.Interview is a film which will surely influence many people either a young student film maker who might like to copy its low budget style.This is because the entire film takes place in a single room.Whenever a European film becomes a hit,Hollywood makes its usual attempts to copy.This film has also been made by Steve Buscemi. It is for the audience to decide which is the better version.