Interview with Nicolas Buchoux

Which aspects of the screenplay do you particularly enjoy ?

By the first reading of the screenplay, I could not prevent me from thinking about “Tales from the Crypt”, savagely funny short stories, with a dark side humor, sometimes even horrible, but always with a very shifted universe and characters. I’ve been first caught by the dialogues, which still make me laugh today, then by the swing of the situation which starts in a very usual way and becomes suddenly completely surrealist… It was also for me the occasion to show how a soft man, with a well-regulated life, can become a monster, just because the situation surpasses him.

What was the more difficult ?

Discovering that Georges Clooney held, actually, the main part of the movie (laughs). Seriously, nothing really, except that sometimes we only had the possibilities for two takes by shot, because film stocks were limited. But it was more instigating than difficult. That compelled us to be concentrated all the time. It was extremely motivating…

What will you remember of this film ?

A total commitment of the entire crew on all levels. This shooting will remain a great moment.

Is there any actor you admire particularly?

That I admire? No… But whose work impresses me much or nourishes me… Well, I could quote some of them: Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, Meryl Streep, Dominique Blanc, Isabelle Renault, Isabelle Huppert, and all actors in Bergman’s movies.

Which are the films of your childhood or adolescence?

L’Auberge Rouge, La Grande Vadrouille, Le Vieux Fusil, Arsenic and Old Laces and Tales of the Crypt of course…