While at the SITGES FILM FESTIVAL, I had the chance of sitting down with
JCVD
writer/director and
all around cool cat MABROUCK EL MECHRI for a little one on one. It was a video
interview and a great yap yap session. Sadly, there was so much wind that day
outside, that the bulk of the interview was inaudible. So instead of a video
interview, you’re getting this transcript of what I was able to catch.
It is to note that the fine film that is
JCVD
(read my review here) will be seeing a limited theatrical release in the
USA come November 7th 2008. Be there or be side kicked in the nads!
Mabrouck and some a-hole!
If they would offer you Steven Seagal.
M: aha
For you to do the same type of thing for him that
you did for JC with JCVD
M: yeah…
Would that stimulate you?
M: ahhh, I would pass it along to somebody else. I did
my part with Jean Claude Van Damme.
What made you want to explore Van Damme the man in
this fashion?
M: I was born and raised in Paris in the suburbs in the
projects, when we saw him…we were just amazed by his shape and the fact
that he crossed the Atlantic with 200 bucks, tops, in his pockets, just
trying to make it in Hollywood. That was something that was really
respected…and we could really identify with that. He was a European guy, you
know talking French with little English, like me.
Mabrouck and his JCVD possee!
At the script stage, did Van Damme have any say on
what JCVD would cover in terms of his personal life? Like yes, let’s do the
custody but I don’t want to do the drugs…
M: No, I simply asked him, if he was comfortable doing
this kind of topic. He said, “Go ahead, we will see, we will see, we will
see.” And after that, I made him promise not to interfere at all in the process
because… in order to be an actor, you have to let it go. The control thing
that you get as a star like control of the casting, the editing, messes up something
called objectivity. I told him before I get involved in the film; I’m
going to need the control. There is no room for two control freaks. He gave
me his word and he pretty much stood by it.
How do you feel so far about the reception the film
has been getting so far?
Good, actually I was disappointed with what happened in
France…People were basically not going to pay 8 Euros to
see his face on the big screen.
Have you learned much as a director in terms of
shooting JCVD?
You know I’m still
learning about my job. My first film, I was like the control freak who saw everybody as the enemy, because I wanted to do my
script. This time, it was actually the first film where
I enjoyed the process. I wasn’t trying to work against everybody. I was
working with them. The film is like 70% what I wrote but it’s like 30% of
what happened on set. It’s something that would never have happened if
I had the same attitude that I had on my first set.
I’m assuming your next film will be a totally kind
of different film.
M: Yeah, totally. It will be a romantic comedy with a
lot of actresses… including the most incredible French actresses that I
love. It’s going to be something. It’s called the “Mid-Wife Crisis”
Freaking kool promo pic of Mabrouck and JC!
You going to work with Van Damme
again or what?
M: Yeah, but he’s got to direct his film…
“FULL LOVE”
M: Yeah. I do want to do a spaghetti western with him…he’s
got perfect skills for that.
Cool man, well thanks for dropping by bro…
M: Peace
I will catch you on your next film.
M: Yeah, and I’ll catch you at the party.
You got it!
Follow the JOBLO MOVIE NETWORK
Follow us on YOUTUBE
Follow ARROW IN THE HEAD
Follow AITH on YOUTUBE