"I tried to look at hedge fund managers, but this part was a totally different thing," Pattinson said.
"Twilight" star Robert Pattinson may seem like nothing more than a teen heartthrob to his critics. But his detractors may change their minds after watching his risky performance in the new David Cronenberg film, "Cosmopolis."
In Canadian theatres on Friday, Pattinson headlines this masterful and, at times, chilling adaptation of Don DeLillo's 2003 novel, "Cosmopolis."
True to DeLillo's satirical work, the British actor plays billionaire Eric Packer, a young fund manager who experiences a meltdown one day as he cruises through Manhattan in the back of a stretch limo. As Packer's trip to the hairdresser unfolds, he glides in and out of the lives of strangers, businesses associates and his wife Elise (played by Sarah Gadon).
*This article has been translated by Google Translation, so some
of it may be broken English. However, you get the main message of
what’s being said*
ROB’S INTERVIEW
Were you already familiar with the novel by Don DeLillo?
No. But I had read some of his other books. I first read the script sent
to me by David Cronenberg and only after the novel. The script is so
faithful to the book that seems almost incredible, especially
considering that Cosmopolis was deemed impossible to adapt. Even before
reading DeLillo’s work, I was struck by the pace of the screenplay was
agitated and the relentless tension.
What was it about this film that has attracted your attention?
Cronenberg, without a doubt! I shot a few films and I could not imagine
how it would work with him. I was not disappointed … I knew he would
play with his creativity and that this experience would have scored. I
left the script involving the same way you can be fascinated by a long
poem, a poem very mysterious. Usually, when you read a script, you
quickly understand what it’s about, where it will go and how it will
end, although there are unexpected twists and sophisticated solutions
that address the course of history. With the script of Cosmopolis,
however, was completely different: the more I read and I could not
understand how it would be more evolved and pushed me to think of
wanting to be part of the film. Would not it be like shooting a movie
any, but a separate and unique opportunity.
Robert has been confirmed to attend the Portugal Premiere of Cosmopolis, right after it presents it Canne's. So this should be anywhere from late May, to really early June. No word yet. This was confirmed by none other than Pablo Bronco, the producer of the movie. Youtube video below is of his interview, in Portuguese. Translation of some questions below that.
Interviewer: Paulo, good evening. This is the 11th movie that you produce and has been selected to the competition in Cannes - the most important film festival in Europe. From what we saw in the trailer and from the little we know, this is not an European movie. Is this your most important movie?
Paulo Branco: Well, as a producer I like to think all movies are important, but this one is special, of course. It's a movie where, for the first time, I worked the way they do on the other side of the Atlantic. It was filmed in Toronto with one of the best directors in the world, David Cronenberg, that was kind enough to listen and accept my proposal, and with great Hollywood actors. And it's the first time I work on a movie this big and with this budget.
Interviewer: We're talking about a major production?
PB: We're talking about a medium American production, about 15M Euros. A French-Canadian movie. We had as much support from France as from Canada. Although, it is a budget that indie producers are not used to, especially with the freedom I had to produce this movie: choosing the director, David Cronenberg, and the actors (along with Cronenberg). It was an unique experience. I am proud (for the movie) to be in Cannes now; to be aknowledged. Every movie in Cannes, in competition, they're not just “another movie”. It's always something special, someone who has been and follows the festival, can understand.
I: The cast and crew of this movie is impressive. Famous director, David Cronenberg. The main actors are, I should say, even more famous (Juliette Binoche and Robert Pattinson, from the Twilight Saga). I want to know if there's anything planned for the release of the movie in Portugal in May with them?
PB: Precisely. It was created some sort of empathy with Don de Lillo, David Cronenberg and Robert Pattinson, that since the beginning, when I talked about the idea of doing a small promo tour in Europe to promote the movie, starting in Portugal, they immediately accepted. They'll be here right after Cannes for the Portuguese premiere of the movie. I think it's an unique event, for a movie premiere, in Portugal. And an example of professionalism and devotion from the people that worked in this film. For Pattinson, this project is essential. He watched the movie and personally told me that it was, maybe, the project that he was most proud of and wanted to support it wherever it was necessary. Don DeLillo, one of the biggest writers in the world, when saw the movie... (Interviewer interrupts Paulo Branco)
The last question is hard to understand, Paulo Branco talks about Cannes, promoting and selling movies at the festival.
