Cannes Q&A: The Da Vinci Code cast

By M&C News May 18, 2006, 16:19 GMT

Tom Hanks,Audrey Tautou,Dan Brown © AFP

Ron Howard © AFP

On this occasion, the American filmmaker was joined by actors Audrey Tautou, Paul Bettany, Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina and Jean Reno.

Tom Hanks on his role as Robert Langdon:

“The great advantage of Mr. Brown's book is that Robert Langdon can explain everything over 5-6 pages of dialogue ...The great challenge of this was going to be somehow portraying the vast knowledge and intelligence that Robert Langdon has without having quite so much verbage.

He has to come in as an authority and carry himself with authority and somehow balance the distinction between what he knows about history and the editorial position that he knows of the context of that history. That requires a substantial amount of condensation by Akiva Goldsman, our screenwriter who drafted the book, as well as working with Ron and everybody else.

I view this as any time you are playing a character with vast amounts of knowledge that is off the page that means you have to do more than just hit the marks. You have to have a certain amount of courage and paths that you bring into the room with you. And this is the magnificent thing about being an actor. I am not a semiologist but I play one in the movie.”

The French actors on working with Americans:

Audrey Tautou: "We work a lot, far more than French hours. At the same time, once one has taken a little taste, it's really highly enjoyable. Despite the astronomical budget and means we had at our disposal, once we were on the set, Ron Howard knew how to create a completely reassuring working atmosphere by removing all pressure, and without us ever feeling that we were on a film so unique and particular."

Jean Reno © AFP

Jean Reno: "A rather emotional relationship was created, over and beyond the work itself. It's true that it's a weighty film because of all the controversy, the Church and subjects dealt with. But the relationship which developed between the actors is truly something remarkable. I have a very strong memory of those weeks I spent at the Louvre, and days in England in places I never would have visited had it not been for this film.".

Concerning the controversy around the film:

Ron Howard: “My feeling about that is that given the controversial nature of the story, there's no question that the film is likely to be upsetting to some people. My advice is since virtually no one has really seen the movie yet is to not go see the movie if you think you're going to be upset. Wait, talk to somebody who has seen it, discuss it and then arrive at an opinion about the movie itself. 

But again, this is supposed to be entertainment; it's not theology and I don't think it should be misunderstood as such. Yes, it stimulates conversation, but that's what good fiction does. I think in that spirit it's ultimately a positive kind of story.”

Alfred Molina: “It's all a question of context. Everyone that bought this book, bought it in the fiction department. Everyone who goes to see the movie, is going to see a fictional entertainment and I think if it spurs comment, if it spurs discussion, if it spurs people to want to delve deeper into whatever issue springs to them from the book, then I think that's all very good.

I think much of this whole controversy with a small C has been pressure from the media to find a story that somehow feels juicy and sexy. And in fact the truth is that the controversy hasn't materialized. There's been a few statements made but there's nothing really to grab hold of except that some people might like the movie.

Life like movies has an off button and you can make the choice to go and see the film or not.”

Ian McKellen: “When I read the book I believed it entirely. I thought that Leigh Teabig argued his case very convincingly indeed, and clever Dan Brown for twisting my mind in the right direction. And when I put the book down, I thought what a load of ..... and that's still going on in my mind.

I'm very happy to believe that Jesus was married. And I know the Catholic church has problems with gay people and so this would be absolute proof that Jesus was not gay. A serious point which occurs to me, when the book came out, the controversy that you're all interested in didn't seem to exist. At least there were no statements from people in powerful places condemning the book.

Is that because readers can be trusted to have minds, whereas people who go and see movies are the mindless masses who need to be protected. I think there's a little bit of snobbery going on in regards to cinema and I think cinemagoers are just as intelligent as readers and they'll make up their own minds.”

Paul Bettany on accepting the role of Silas:

“Ron rung me up and asked me to be in the movie and he said, “monk, assassin and Da Vinci Code” and it was Ron calling me so I said, “Yes!” immediately. And he asked me if I had read the book and I said, “Yes, of course”.  And I hadn't so I ran and got the book, not in theology and personal growth, but in the fiction department and I read it in two sittings.

It was a real page-turning adventure story. And since for the film I've read a number of theological discourses. They're not page-turns, quite dull. It should be quite clear to everyone that it is a fiction.”

Ron Howard on the different levels of the film:

“This is actually a very good point because the book entertains a wide range of people in different ways and I learned this from talking to people. And I really wanted the movie to operate on a number of different levels as well.

I hope it works as a very entertaining, sometimes funny, summer enjoyment. And on the other hand, it does deal with some issues, which, if you're so inclined, can provoke an interesting conversation or stimulate your imagination in ways that are unlike other movies. This is again the beauty of what Dan Brown created with the novel and what I really hope to offer movie audiences as well.

© Festival de Cannes