ud-din.se | omarevangeliet

Yesterday was the first day of the 16th Stockholm International Film Festival. I spent my lunch at a press conference with David Cronenberg – reciever of the worlds heaviest lifetime achievement award – the Swedish Bronze horse (7,3 kg/16 lbs). Cronenberg has directed masterpieces such as Madame Butterfly and eXistenz and had the great honour to open the Festival with his latest film ”A History of Violence.”

Besides the groupie kind of atmosphere in the collegiate of journalists the sitting session gave nothing to nobody. And all of a sudden I made one BIG mistake – getting one good story out of the mouth of Mr Cronenberg. Alas the mistake was to ask a smart question in front of all other eager beavers. Of course the guys answer became the only thing people took with them except the press release for his latest film.

-So Mr Cronenberg, what is your relation to Sweden and swedish filmmaking?

Actually one of my major inspiration sources in the art of making movies is swedish. Beside Federico Fellini is Ingemar Bergman. Most of todays directors have misunderstood what it means to be inspired by someone – it is not the same as copying their work. So as for me I have tried to find ways to make art and not just blockbuster movies to make money. And actually I prepared myself for coming to this festival by watching a bunch of Bergman films. The quote was even headlined by some freelancer working for Metro.

– Lesson learned: never spoil your chances to sell a unique story by asking leading questions in public. That’s what interviews are for. And by the way – try to avoid press conferences if they are not for big news or a chance to do a short interview with someone hard to catch.