Interview

Political columnist and former war correspondent Pierre Peters (Pierre Bokma) is frustrated to be interviewing movie star Katja (real-life Dutch star Katja Schuurman) in an puff piece for the entertainment section. Her most notable assets are the two up front. She notices his attitude right away. They get personal as both bring out dark secrets from each other.

This is essentially a two person play. Sometimes their interactions feel fascinating but other times, it feels repetitive. Somehow they need breaks and gear changes. Maybe she should start as a sweet helpful character and he could fake caring about the article. Their fake cordial interactions can break down leading some explosive revelations. This has some moments and an interesting overall idea.

This films has Theo van Gogh written all over it. A big, fat and pretentious pile of crap. Katja Schuurman and Pierre Bokma are quite good but seem to lack any clue of where the script with its clichés is supposed to take them. The end is insultingly bad and gives the impression of a tight deadline. Despite seeing some of his other films and tv appearances, I gave Theo van Gogh the benefit of a doubt but he blew it completely. Some clever references, some great shots, and even an occasional joke aside, this film has left me completely untouched. OK, maybe left with a bit of rage for spending money to see it.

Dutch film director Theo Van Gogh has always made it a point to shock his audiences.All of his films have been successful in that respect. Interview is a film which has its own elements of shock value.At the core of this film are a famous actress and a not so unknown journalist who knows the art of manipulating things.The good thing about them is that they are elementary symbols of arts and its relevance in our contemporary society.This is something which must be construed as this film's redeeming aspect.There is enough shock for audience as in Interview what starts as a slick television exercise slowly gets degenerated into an artistic huis clos where human emotions are challenged in order to play a game of winner or loser.This game is nicely fought as it signifies the victory of a common man over an influential person.Interview is a film which will surely influence many people either a young student film maker who might like to copy its low budget style.This is because the entire film takes place in a single room.Whenever a European film becomes a hit,Hollywood makes its usual attempts to copy.This film has also been made by Steve Buscemi. It is for the audience to decide which is the better version.

On The third of November 2004, Muslim extremists assassinated director Theo Van Gogh because of his inglorious portrayals of their culture and beliefs. Did he deserve this merciless fate? No, of course not. Because everyone in this world is entitled to an opinion and if Van Gogh wished to express his using the medium of cinema, he had every right to it. This "Interview" dates from the year before the controversial filmmaker's death. It's a typical Van Gogh film, entirely set in one interior location and introducing two main characters constantly talking. It actually looks a lot like that other film of his, "06", only the protagonists are now face-to-face, while "06" exclusively featured two people talking over the phone. I admit I started (and continued) watching "Interview" for the most shallow reason possible: the starring of Katja Schuurman. This ravishing Dutch actress has the face of an angel, the voice of a siren and a booty that would even make the most popular Hollywood actress jealous. In this, she plays the part of a successful actress who gets interviewed by some sort of Bosnian paparazzi guy. They constantly argue, play with each other's feelings etc etc etc… The script is tedious and nowhere near original or compelling. Although it probably was Van Gogh's intention, it totally doesn't feel like an artistic piece of cinema, as there's no style to detect anywhere. Not even a bit of exceptional camera-work or memorable music. This is a complete failure and I don't really feel obliged to give it more praise simply because the maker is death. Avoid! Watching a train rush by is more exciting than this.

For a film with so little action, and so few people, it has a tremendous dialogue and great drama between Pierre and Katja - sometimes a little overdone, but generally the tension is so strong you can't take your eyes from it.

As good as it is, it has its flaws too. Sometimes the journalist really slips off his professional stance which he now and then tries to uphold. I think a real journalist would not do that - as all pros, journalists tend to keep professional, even when doing a job they don't like, or even more so in an unpopular work situation. As a pro and seasoned vet, Pierre should have kept to his professional attitude more.

Likewise, the dialogue goes off the map and then takes its time to get back on track. This is in a way a little tiresome, but also quite intriguing and one of the reasons the film came out so good. A beauty mark so to speak.

This was my first van Gogh film, and I'll be sure to see more of him whenever I can.