Most people know who Robert Pattinson is, but did you know that he is a very private person and doesn’t like interviews? We didn’t either until we met up with him on the set of his new movie, Canes, and he changed our minds. It was a pleasure interviewing the enigmatic actor. Enjoy!
On Set With Robert Pattinson
CANNES, France — On Thursday, June 14, 2018, an eclectic group of around 20 people gathered at a former military school in the northern suburb of Cannes to watch Robert Pattinson act. This was the day before the premiere of his new movie, Canes, and while the actor was polite and professional, it was clear he wasn’t in the mood to socialize.
We had heard that Robert Pattinson didn’t like interviews, so when he agreed to meet with us on set, we were a little nervous. Would he want to talk about the movie or would he just want to get it over with?
We needn’t have worried. As we were about to find out, the actor was just as inquisitive as we were and he wanted to discuss a variety of topics, from his acting process to his tattoos. So prepare to be astonished by this talented man.
Why Are You Making A Horror Film?
CANNES, France — Why are you making a horror film?
It started with my regular collaborators, [director] Fabrice du Roullet and [writer] Christophe Lelievre, and I met up with them in Paris a few weeks ago. They were both incredibly passionate about the material and we began hashing out ideas. I was immediately intrigued and, as a lifelong fan of horror films, I thought it would be a blast to dive into this genre.
I wanted to make something brutal but fun, something dark but surprising. Something that would make the audience leap out of their seats. Something that would stick with them long after the film ended.
Du Roullet and Lelievre had great admiration for a certain American horror director, Steven Spielberg, and his work in the genre, so I decided to adapt his famous quote: “I like to start off with a bang, rather than a whimper,” into our own version. We decided to call our new project “Spielberg Bang,” which was later shortened to “Spielberg Canes.”
How Did You Come Up With The Idea For The Movie?
CANNES, France — How did you come up with the idea for the movie?
It started with a short story that Lelievre and I wrote together a few years back. We had initially wanted to turn it into a graphic novel, but ended up deciding against it. I think it’s best suited for the big screen, as it’s a little darker than what you’d normally see in print.
There’s also a kind of grim sensibility to it, which I think has eluded many horror films. Even when the material is really terrifying, it doesn’t always translate well to the big screen.
I think people will get a kick out of it. It’s a very unique vision that will hopefully entertain and frighten audiences equally.
What Is The Story About?
CANNES, France — What is the story about?
It’s about a drifter who stumbles upon a family of cannibals in the middle of nowhere and befriends them. He helps them hunt for food and, in turn, they help him find his missing father. Eventually, the drifter realizes that the cannibals want to eat him and turns into a man-eating monster himself. It’s a very dark story, but one that I think will frighten and excite audiences. Especially in the age of fake news and outlandish conspiracy theories, the story’s inclusion of a cannibalistic twist will no doubt attract a lot of attention.
How Long Did It Take To Make?
CANNES, France — How long did it take to make?
It was a very hectic shoot. We began filming in April and wrapped in May. It was a great experience and I’m grateful to the people who believed in this project. It was a labor of love and I hope that it pays off.
What Could You Tell Us About The Makeup And Costumes?
CANNES, France — What could you tell us about the makeup and costumes?
We tried to avoid using real animals for the cannibal scenes, as it was very confronting and disturbing for the actors and crew. We used prosthetics and computer-generated imagery for the zombies and other creatures from the Dark Southeast.
For the drifter, we used a marionette made out of real animals — an anteater, squirrel, and rabbit — which helped add to his deadpan humor and also helped us with the zombie makeup, which needed to be convincing. We had some fun with it.
Any Surprises In The Final Cut?
CANNES, France — Any surprises in the final cut?
There were a few tiny moments that I think will make the audience laugh or jump out of their seats. We were going for a sort of campy horror comedy vibe and I think it worked. Especially toward the end, when everything is going crazy and it feels like a cartoon.
Mostly, I think it’s a terrifying film. Especially when you’re not expecting it. You know it’s coming, but you still don’t know how or when. That’s the fun of the horror film — to not know what’s going to happen next and be completely paralyzed by fear. I hope that everyone else enjoys the ride as much as I do.