After Zhivago

[Virgil Reality]

After a month's break I returned home and come the weekend, having unpacked, almost sorted out all the return to work stuff , bought a car etc, settled back for a video veg out.

I decided to watch "Doctor Zhivago" again after quite a long break and I was reminded anew what a great job Hans did with Yury. It's been nearly three years since it was made, two since it first screened and I continue to be dumfounded that this has led to so little in the way of projects for Hans

Of course I do realise this may be completely of his own choosing and if so, good luck to him. It may also be the consequence of decision-making on his part that didn't have an intended outcome.

I know the British film scene is not in the best state right now and that there are some projects (Out of Season, The Legacy) which haven't come to fruition. Financing is a problem. And of course, not everything makes its way onto the internet; we could have missed things.

Then again, I can't think of many things I've seen recently where I've gone "Hans should have done this" I guess part of the problem may be that he doesn't want to get into some 'period romantic lead' stereotyping. If you want to do roles that have something to say, this must be a problem Even in America the big money spinners seem to be animated movies and live versions of old carteens.
(ETA I meant cartoons Freudian slip?)
Meanwhile, let's hope for good things from"Half Light" and that perfect role (Great character, great script, great dialogue, sympatico direction, couple of big names to get publicity and draw audiences) in something that'll actually make to a big screen near me.

[Gg]

you know what I'm realizing more fully now-- the whole "business" of the opportunity game is, precelebrity, and post to some extent as well, about making your own opportunities -- from the roles you lie cheat and steal to be considered for, to getting the attention of, even those you are paying - basically as subcontractors, to consider casting outside of preconceived type (I would imagine to some extent he amy meet challenge of this kind) to manufacturing, and there's no question -- it is manufactured -- hype; without a publicist and/or manager (with enough resources to do so), the person who manufactures that hype, unless it serves someone else's purpose, is the talent him/herself. Even with those resources, in the end the work of the work itself is up to him. He's the one who's words are put down in print, he is ultimately where the buck stops -- and the divinity of editing wil not give him the final cut. It is that "buzz" factor, that hype, that gets you seen, gets you considered. Has nothing to do at all with your "job" -- the playing of the emotions -- the telling of the story. I suspect, or at least wouldn't be surprised by the idea, that Hans concerns himself with the lofty challenges of art and leaves those of commerce largely to fate and his agent...

But I'm thinking the same as -- if I'm to think of those actors, better known perhaps than Hans, but nonetheless recognizable as upcoming brit actors -- Ioin Gruffurd or Hugh Dancy or even the older and more established Clive Owen (who yes I realize is above him in stature, ahead of him in age, and established on the London stage as well) -- here we have examples of actors who've done the period piece genre, the superhero/comic book adaptation to film, the strong dramatic piece, the "I had to train for three months in order to do so many of my own stunts" deal. Perhaps more ambitious? Clove Owen has basically said he doesn't feel the need to leave London -- and why the hell would he -- international theater and film AND his kids don't have to leave their school. Ioin Gruffurd on the other hand, once was quoted as saying any actor who says they don't want to move to LA is just lying. I just think that's a ridiculous generalization -- not every actor sees acting, in film or otherwise, as the end all be all of existence. There are many different kinds of acting on many different platforms, with wildly divergent compensation, prestige, critical respect and financial reward. Some of those most worthy pieces, never get off the studio shelves they're optioned by, however profound or globally important or life altering they may be.

But now I've sailed off,... perhaps doing projects as they come -- two or so a year, maybe a guest appearance on tv, a made for tv project, a reading or two, and making music, playing small pubs -- maybe this is the ambition -- maybe this is the balance.

Or maybe there is just some waiting going on -- waiting for that one project that is worth all the effort, the connection and commitment, that seems somehow to the one he was waiting for. But somehow I see that in everything he does.

[JenoWhatIMean]

Personally, I didn't perceive it as a dearth of activity at all. I remember there was some talk of Hans laying low after DZ, and instead, suddenly there was Nero, then Comfortably Numb, then HL. To me this seems like pretty steady work. Maybe not four films a year, but that probably is speaking to his ability, both financially I assume, and creative ambitions wise, to wait and choose. Luckily, we didn't get an over-saturation of Hans after DZ, yet he's still notable enough to be cast with Demi Moore. Perfect balance, if you ask me.

[Gg]

yes perhaps it's more an over - intellectualised justification for chronic impatience on our parts!

[Virgil Reality]

Well I wouldn't put Hans in the same category as Ioan Gruffudd or Clive Owen ( and by the way, sabbs, isn't he doing well lately?) and more on a physical stature basis rather than a fame/satus basis. Hugh Dancy maybe, but he hardly had a big role in King Arthur and come on, Ella Enchanted??

Just imagine if he'd gone the way of Colin Farrell with whom he has more than a little in common. And what of Jonathan Rhys Meyers who seems to be everywhere these days? I mention him because as a slightly built, slightly androgynous, slightly intense looking guy, they'd be maybe going for the same roles somewhere along the line. Could somebody please explain what he's got, except for an Irish accent?

[Gg]

Well, to work backwards -- (and as I'm hold for the thousandth time today it seems) it seems to me the biggest difference we're talking about is length of resume (and they say size doesn't matter). I don't know that Hans does have the "Prozac Nation", "Bend it Like Beckham" and "Velvet Golmine" of Jonathan Rhys Meyers -- he has kind of the "Titus", "the Governess" and "Michael Collins" equivalents, but his indies have had lesser notice -- and although "Stella" got play on HBO, "Lion in Winter" ran forever with a headline cast. I don't know if we want to call that drive or luck, or selectivity or what. We'd have to get that from him I suspect.

Hugh Dancy -- yes there was the battle of Davies adaptations -- but Americans saw Hugh three consecutive years in a row for weeks at a time with "David Copperfield" and the masterpiece theaters stints (Madame Bovary and Deronda) and off cable so everybody could see them. I mean count those all up and it's 12 nights and 24 hours of television exposure. Pair that with exposure in "Ella", "Black Hawk Down" and "Arthur" -- and whether or not it's a hugely successful film or large part -- it translates into steady exposure. And although his resume is pretty short (I'm getting mischievous with this metaphor) it's a pretty accessible one. Not a whole lot of foreign television. (which I actually think is a little,.. I don't know if sad is the right word, but the limiting scope of the hollywood monopoly has me making that adjective the closest to the mark).

Colin Farrell -- well -- you know he's intense etc... but I guess in my mind he's a celebrity who acts --- again a lot of exposure, not afraid of big Hollywood films, or hair dye even in a silly film (oh I'm so sorry) and though his film resume is about the same size, it packs more thrust (shall we say, since I've delved officially into the ridiculous) at the box office. I actually don't see them as terribly similiar. He did a lot of television, and just seems to me to fulfill intensity without a great deal of substance. But tell me what you see in common in them, because I could see that perception, without necessarily sharing it at present.

Ioan Gruffurd -- yes obviously a lot more exposure stateside and in Hollywood, television and film, foreign and "domestic", but from that perspective he would still be considered, I'm thinking, an up and coming export -- not necessarily Hollywood's own, as Orlando Bloom would be thought of. And of course, a RADA graduate.

And Clive Owen, yes again obviously far more recognizable, and of course ten years older. But if you look at his resume of the first five years in film -- he's probably most like Hans of them. Although it is a heavy tv/theater resume, it is more gradual, persistant.

But what I meant to say by listing those names is that I feel he is among that group from an acting perspective (aside from Farrel who I think he eclipses in ability but perhaps shines on in terms of celebrity ambitions -- could be totally wrong on that -- and the comparison to Owen would be his early career and his present perspective of it) rahter than a status one. What I see as the differences go are the 'choices' perhaps. I can't recall any of them playing a period transvestite. And if I were to guess at one it would be Clive Owen. None of Hans' choices seem to be about stepping on any stones or doing a big Hollywood project. Choice or opportunity? opportunities are not just about acting ability. making the most of opportunities already accomplished (ie the "buzz") has absolutely nothing to do with acting, but can definitely get the gig -- that's purely self-promotion until the monster itself takes over. Recognizability can be huge and all it takes is one accessible role that clicks with a wide audience and a really dedicated publicist/agent/manager. But I think it's pretty difficult to achieve status without equal energy invested in both. If not by the talent, then by someone invested in them. Dangerous sport that.

I mean, we're talking people of the same age, two are with in inches of him -- a trait I just don't buy into anyway; Owen aside (who I see him most as -- aside from height, age,... okay -- I just think he could be at that level of viruosity, in his own unique way -- but probably most from the last interview I sawa Owen do). You can't distill it down to education. Although we've got a RADA grad and and Oxford alum in there, look at Orlando Bloom (who went through a nearly identical program as Hans') or Ewan McGregor, who didn't finish (not an uncommon story) -- who I know better than to list. The accent is cute and all but, there is no particular shortage of actors that have it proportional to roles available. And if we're going to go with the entire "exports with a cute accent" we could go into Heath Ledger -- but he came out to LA and banged his head on the casting directors door, workless for a year after his first US film. To my knowledge Hans isn't even interested in that. The others are.

It just seems to me, as I can't get into anyone's head -- but if we are to compare the anatomy of the resumes -- the longer the better, unless it's really fat. Hollywood is a pregnant dog.

But I know what you mean -- though his remarks in the press do seem to suggest he is weary of it, (but who knows, maybe "Half Light" will change that regardlessly) -- he seems to have everything he needs to be a regular presence on our cinema screens -- in the end, as I was once told -- it's like asking lightening to strike.

any casting directors listening?

I've enjoyed taking being part of his periodic storms of possibility.

[Virgil Reality]

I'm thinking you couldn't get a better illustration of the importance of what you've done compared to how much you've done, than to look at the cast of "Deathwatch". The "star" of the movie, with his name headlining the ensemble cast and we gather, with a much higher salary than the others, was Jamie Bell, a fifteen year old kid withone movie on his resume. Compare that with the length of Andy Serkis' resume. Now, because of "Gollum, everyone's heard of Andy and no doubt he's asking a lot more these days! But before then, I only knew him because he had been in two Hans movies before then. Of course if I were a Londoner that would be different I'm sure.

I'd put Viggo Mortensen down also as someone with a huge resume who doesn't really become a 'name' until the one 'big' movie or three in his case But although the Ring Trilogy put Orlando Bloom and Viggo on the map so to speak, it really seems to have hindered the hobbits. Even Elijah Wood seems to have had trouble finding another great role. He may not mind of course, certainly those guys will never need to work again.


So luck yeah A huge factor I mean what if "Les Miserable" with its Hollywood connections, award winning director and high profile star-studded cast had been much bigger than it was? And I personally feel that "Canone Inverso" deserved at least an international release if not box office success

But then there's the other factor, the self-promotion, putting yourself out there and it seems Hans doesn't go for that sort of scene. I

'd say he's more about the performance and the process rather than the product, so I guess we'll have to hope for lightning to strike!

[JenoWhatIMean]

I have seen Elijah in a preview for Sin City. It looks like a pretty dark role, but it suits him. The whole film looks very dark and interestingly photographed.

[Gg]

ooh -- forgot this one -- in defense of Jamie Bell -- actually he was a pretty good "Smike" in "Nicholas Nickleby", and has three films coming out this year. And he did after all CARRY "Billy Elliot" and it was the really successful "import" of that year.

My favorite line in that one, just for chuckles, is Nathan Lane to Alan Cumming "you're a barbarian! Not a demented fairy"...

But you know your "Rings" mention does bring about the issue of does an actor (yeah, right, who all obviously want the same thing...) wish for that one big role that they will be remembered for, or do would they rather have a series of parts that slowly propel them into an level of recognition where they can act in wide range of roles but not be remembered for just one. I mean I'd say the later, but does that mean that the Hobbits and Viggo worry that is was a mistake -- I could hardly imagine -- but then again what would Mark Hamill say??? Double-edged sword. The same film ("Rings") seems to pigeon-hole soem actors and propel others (Orlando).

[Gg]

ah, for a good storm!

[Virgil Reality]

You wanted a storm - you got one ;D

In my search for height issue discussions, came across this thread- which is kind of an obsession for me like height is for others I guess. And I think there's some interesting background for our newbies.

Now we are onto the "After Bathory" theme; What next?

We can only speculate on the career choices and opportunities that Hans and others make or have made for them. But whatever it is, I think work that you are proud of, even if it's not commercially successful, or even commercial, is more important than a successful project where you have 'sold out'

Waiting..................................................................

[Gg]

with baited breath...

[Virgil Reality]

Goes without saying ;D

I think work that you are proud of, even if it's not commercially successful, or even commercial, is more important than a successful project where you have 'sold out'

Nevertheless, Hans, feel free to sell out somewhat (just a tad you know). We wouldn't really mind seeing the trailers on TV then popping down to our local multiplex to the largest theatre there and a choice of times, and then a few months later buying our copy of the DVD right there at the mall or choosing a rental copy from a large and prominent display front and center of the new releases. Would we?

[liz]

Well said Virgil ;D lol You are right. I agree with Hans' idea of success, but can't say I wouldn't enjoy all that

[starkiller]

admin said:

Nevertheless, Hans, feel free to sell out somewhat (just a tad you know). We wouldn't really mind seeing the trailers on TV then popping down to our local multiplex to the largest theatre there and a choice of times, and then a few months later buying our copy of the DVD right there at the mall or choosing a rental copy from a large and prominent display front and center of the new releases. Would we?

Hahaha, agreed. Just once or even twice. That'd be ace. Maybe something in the comic book genre like Ioan Gruffudd so we can have action figures.

Yes, I am a pervey old woman. *facepalms*