Recently, Monster and Critics' London reviewer Evrim Ersoy had the opportunity to interview Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck, director of the 2007 Academy Award winning Foreign Language Film 'Lives of Others' (‘Das Leben Der Anderen’). Here is his report.
As I make my way through the grim of Berwick St. in London, I feel slightly nervous. After all it isn’t everyday that you get a chance to interview someone who’s clearly eyeing an extreme bout of success and focus. I try to go through the questions I’ve prepared and hope that the things I ask will not be things Mr. Donnersmarck has heard a million times before.
Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck is an interesting director with an even more interesting life. As well as having a degree in Philosophy from Oxford University, Mr. Donnersmarck has also worked under Richard Attenborough, studied and taught in St. Petersburg and attended a film school in Germany. It is a well-lived life, this immediately shows in his manner, and in the way he talks.
When he walks in, it is an imposing presence. He stands 6’6’ and towers over everyone in the room. He apologises for the delay as if he was somehow responsible while the PR lady closes the door behind her. He’s dressed smartly in a corduroy jacket and has an easy-going smile. He’s not at all surprised or dubious when I tell him that I won’t be recording the interview but instead will be taking notes in shorthand. My reports of him coming across as arrogant and selfish are immediately destroyed as soon as I start speaking with this giant of a man.
M&C:
Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
M&C:
(Both laugh)
M&C:
Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
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Mr. Donnersmarck:
At this point I had two minutes left and so decided to ask one last question
M&C:
Mr. Donnersmarck:
M&C:
Mr. Donnersmarck:
M&C:
(Mr. Donnersmarck laughs)
Mr. Donnersmarck:
And with that he is led into the next room for a filmed interview, leaving me to exit once again onto the grim of Berwick Street, my mind a buzz from an enjoyable fifteen minutes with this brilliant director.
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