Interview

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.

Theo van Gogh did it again, and Theodor Holman earns every bit of respect on writing one of the best dialogue-movies I've seen in years. Pierre Bokma proves once again to be a great actor, and Katja Schuurman proves she's more than just a pretty face. Her role as a spoiled actress is greatly ironic, 'cause most narrow-minded viewers have only looked at her in this respect for over a decade. By playing this role with such finesse, she maybe proves to be exactly the opposite.

If you don't like Theo van Gogh as a person, please don't take that as an excuse to bomb his movies. "Interview" shows his (and Holman's) talent. The way Pierre and Katja don't want to be in the same room with each other, but can't leave each other at the same time; the way this is combined in "Interview" made me proud of Dutch cinema. Just like "Karakter" did, and just like "Van God Los" did (among others...).

Political columnist and former war correspondent Pierre Peters (Pierre Bokma) is frustrated to be interviewing movie star Katja (real-life Dutch star Katja Schuurman) in an puff piece for the entertainment section. Her most notable assets are the two up front. She notices his attitude right away. They get personal as both bring out dark secrets from each other.

This is essentially a two person play. Sometimes their interactions feel fascinating but other times, it feels repetitive. Somehow they need breaks and gear changes. Maybe she should start as a sweet helpful character and he could fake caring about the article. Their fake cordial interactions can break down leading some explosive revelations. This has some moments and an interesting overall idea.

This movie is to me one of the best none English/German movies ever seen. I can't really comment on Director or any other visual elements in the movie because it has been quite a while since I have seen it, what I can remember very clearly though is the characters. Although the predecessor of my comment states that the characters were not very real (and this is a rather valid point) I do not think that that is a negative thing. I think it is almost beautiful, almost comic how frank, cruelly honest they are. See, this is what makes this movie so very good, it's different, original, and because of it's obvious or even fake superficial and still rather insightful characters. It's almost comic. This movie really is worth watching, but only if you can see the beautiful in what seems to be the flawed.

I recommend this movie to anyone who'd like to see something a little different.

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.