Exclusive Interview with 'The Tourist' Director

Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck talks about his film"The Tourist" with CRI on Saturday, February 12, 2011 in Beijing. [Photo: CRI]

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, best known for 2007's Foreign Film Oscar winner, "The Lives of Others," visits China to promote his Hollywood debut, "The Tourist," on February 12, 2011 and accepts an interview with China Radio International.

Reporter: You said your life changed drastically after the Academy Awards. How about this film? Has it changed your life any?

von Donnersmarck: (Click to listen.)

Oh, it's a good question. You know it's … (thinking). No, I don't think this will affect my life as much because, you know, of course it's a bigger film, but it's not a… (thinking), it doesn't deal with topics that are so personally important and fundamental to me.

So, for me it's more about the experience of really once making a film completely within the Hollywood system that was interesting to me. Just to experience what one of these huge productions was like. What was it like to work with these big stars, and just to experience that, and make one film where I could really indulge in luxury, beauty, travel and all that.

But there is nothing within the whole experience that could really change me because it doesn't go that deep into my heart, you know (smile).

Reporter: What was it like working with two actors of their stature?

von Donnersmarck: (Click to listen.)

It was interesting, I'd say in the things that matter, it didn't make a big difference because they are good actors, and when you were with them in a room, you're working on the scene, their fame goes away.

When, however, you're shooting something outside or you're organizing the entire film, it brings a lot of problems with it, because you have 10,000 fans that travel with them, and maybe 50 paparazzi at all times. So, there are a lot of logistical challenges there

And also, these actors have large teams that are always with them. So, of course, it makes the machine a lot bigger for making such a film.

In a way, I think it taught me what I hope it would show me, that stardom, it's not so important in a way, you know, in a way a star is an actor who just happens to develop a large following. They are not a different breed of a human being or different breed of actor. In a way, it's an actor who got very lucky.

You know, a famous actor will always be more famous than even the most famous director, and I'm certainly not the most famous director. But when you are on the set, it's not about fame, that's not the 'currencies' sold on the set. I think most actors want to please the director; they want the director to be happy.

And if the situations were different, and actors were to use their fame to make it difficult for the director, the director would never ever admit it (smile).

Reporter: I heard it was your idea to put the film in the comedy/musical category, and does what the critics say have an affect on how you direct or what project you choose?

von Donnersmarck: (Click to listen.)

I think it's one of those tricky things when you present a movie to the audience, they always want to see it as one thing. But very rarely movies are one thing.

I think this movie has a little bit of action, a little bit of comedy, a lot of romance, a lot of travel, you know, many things at the same time. I think it's a big problem to just present it as one specific element.

I personally have learned not to trust trailers and marketing materials anymore. I just don't trust them.

I don't trust reviews either. I now just go to the movies if I see there is something that I find interesting and I try to make up my own mind.

Reporter: Could you talk about your upcoming project? Which subject will be your next one? And are you still interested in the topic of suicide?

von Donnersmarck: (Click to listen.)

Oh yeah, that's true. I'm going straight into my suicide film. The film deals with the phenomenon that every year, over 1 million people kill themselves. It's really crazy to think of it, more people die of suicide than traffic accidents.

Reporter: What do you think about China? Do you think you'll ever make a film about China?

von Donnersmarck: (Click to listen.)

Yeah, China is one of the reasons why I'm here. I know China will be the most important culture for the entire world over this coming century and maybe longer. And so, I would love to get a better feel for this culture, and I would love to make a film here.

Now I've spent a lot of time in Hollywood, I believe the access between Europe and the Hollywood is very important, but there is a third element in that equation, and that is China.

Those will be the three most important culture centers, Europe, China and Hollywood from a film perspective.

And I would very much like to understand that access better and get involved in Chinese films, and have China involved in international productions.

More about the director and his film "The Tourist"

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is a German film director and speaks English, German, French, Russian and Italian fluently. He stands 6'8" tall.

Starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, "The Tourist" opens around Valentine's Day in China. The romantic comedy received three Golden Globe nominations (Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role), and has so far grossed U.S. $225 million worldwide.