| Stalking the loup garoux with actor Hugh Dancy. |
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| Saturday, 27 January 2007 | |
 BY Joseph B. Mauceri {Click on an Image fo a Larger View} Aiden Galvin (HUGH DANCY) is researching Bucharestís ancient art and relics for his next graphic novel based on the mythology of the loup garoux ñ shapeshifters who possessed the power to change into wolves. These ìwerewolvesî were once considered holy among men. Aiden has traveled to Bucharest to wrestle his own demons by exploring the inner lives of these outsiders that he believes were persecuted to extinction. In their time they achieved what he lacks, the ability to change what they are. Little does Aiden suspect that the loup garoux are not only real, theyíre far from extinct. During a chance encounter in an abandoned church celebrating the loup garoux, Aiden unknowingly comes face-to-face with Vivian (AGNES BRUCKNER), the real thing. After their exchange in the church, Aiden canít get Vivian out of his mind. He searches Bucharest until he tracks her to the chocolate shop where she works. His persistence finally wears down Vivianís resistance. Her love for Aiden threatens to cast him to the very wolves who saved her life, and who are waiting for their chance to hunt him as prey if he refuses to stop his pursuit of Vivianís affections. British actor Hugh Dancy graduated from Oxford with a degree in English Literature and moved to London to pursue his acting career. Recently he appeared in the role of Essex in the HBO and Channel Four joint venture, ìElizabeth I,î opposite Helen Mirren in the title role. His other recent appearances include the films ìShooting Dogsî; ìBasic Instinct 2: Risk Addictionî with Sharon Stone; ìElla Enchantedî; ìKing Arthurî; ìTempo,î with Melanie Griffith; and ìThe Sleeping Dictionary,î with Jessica Alba. He starred opposite Ewan McGregor and Josh Hartnett in Ridley Scottís ìBlack Hawk Down.î He appeared in such television series as ìTrial and Retribution II,î ìKavanagh QCî and ìCold Feet,î Dancy was cast in 1998 as David Copperfield for Hallmark and TNTís adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel. FEARS: Your character in BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE, Aiden, is a comic book author/artist on a self impose sabbatical in Europe. Are you a comic fan and did you do any research into that profession?  Hugh Dancy: Funny enough, I am a comic book fan. I wouldnít claim to be the most knowledgeable person. Iíve always read comic books and I do actually draw. Not so much now, but back when I was in school. Thatís what you did if you read comics and could draw, youíd try to draw the books you read. Iíve done my fair share and itís a pity that it didnít work out. So itís something I know a little bit about. FEARS: The film deals with werewolves/shape shifters. Thatís the second biggest legend in Eastern Europe, where the film was shot, after vampires. Whatís your take on the whole myth and are you, or did you become a believer? Hugh Dancy: My feeling about it is that if you just boil these types of myths down to their nuts and bolts - thatís an unfortunate phrase because it sounds like it has something to do with Frankenstein. If you get down to the basics then Iím not a believer. However, I think that these myths come about for a reason. They spring up in different places simultaneously because these reflect some element of the human psyche of the people who live in these areas. There is something about that part of the world that is superstitious. I think a better way of putting it is that they want to create stories around the darker side of human nature. Thatís kind of where the Grimm fairytales came from. I donít dismiss them because they have a value and thatís why they keep cropping up again in different guises. FEARS: BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE is based on the by Annette Curtis Klause. Did you go back to the source material to develop your character or did you primarily just work from the script?  Hugh Dancy: I worked from the script. I think some times it is obviously very valuable to go back to the book. In this case I knew that Katja von Garnier, the director, wanted to make it her own. As it happened, the story and characters changed to a certain degree for various different reasons to serve the movie. I thought it was more helpful to come at it fresh. FEARS: I think one of the things that must have helped with the screen adaptation of the story is that Ehren Kruger worked on the script. Does seeing his name on the screenplay give you more of a sense of security in knowing the projects heís been responsible for? Hugh Dancy: The only that gives you a sense of security is the material itself. Obviously you want to work on material that comes from a good source. As well as a project with directors and actors who have a good track record, and you want to be thought of in that way. I know from experience that you can get stuff thought with a name attached to it. When you read it you wonder how is it possible that this piece of rubbish has come from the pen of this illustrious individual? I think the reason for that is that scripts go through a long a torturous path in Hollywood. You have know idea how many people have been dabbling on a script before it actually gets to you. You just have to read it and trust your own judgment. FEARS: There are some great locations in the film. When you work on a film in this type of genre is it more liberating and refreshing to work on location or on sets? Hugh Dancy: We certainly did have some great locations, but we did both on this film. One of the reasons why people go a film in Bucharest is that you can afford to build really substantial sets. For example, there are several sequences that take place in a forest. That forest was built in an enormous warehouse just outside Bucharest. You simple couldnít afford to do that if you were making this film at Pinewood Studios in London, or Los Angeles. It also worked in our favor because a lot of people would go to Bucharest because itís cheaper but than they try to convince you itís Washington, DC. One of the strengths of the movie is that it is set in Bucharest, this strange part of the world. Itís recent history and past history is so strange and bizarre that comes out so clear in the city and the environment. So we had the best of both worlds. FEARS: It maybe good computer work, but it looks like either you, or your stunt double, get to wrestle with a wolf in a couple of scenes. Did you work on set with live wolves?  Hugh Dancy: Yes, I certainly did! Thatís me! (Laughs) The look of terror on my face is genuine itís not digital. We had about twenty-something wolves from Hungary. Transylvania is now part of Romania. It was traditionally Hungarian. In that part of the world there still is the huge wolf population, although under increasingly difficult circumstances. Anyway, we had these fantastic wolves and this guy that they live with in Hungary. Every so often some of them would be set on me. FEARS: Of course the studios and audience will determine this, but the film feels like it is the first in a possible franchise. Would you consider reprising your role for a sequel? Hugh Dancy: Thatís a really tough question. Itís kind of like asking what is it you look for in a script? You really donít know until itís in front of you and youíve read it. You obviously want to revisit something if itís successful. Thatís the first consideration, if you think there is an interest for it. I donít think that Iíve ever thought of something in terms of having the possibility to come back to it. You just take it on its own terms and let the future take its own path. FEARS: BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE is constructed in a way that it is accessible to a larger audience. Thereís been a bit of a debate going on in terms of genre films and ratings. From an actorís point of view, do you feel it is fine the way it is or maybe, given the nature of the material, it should have been edgier? Hugh Dancy: I donít believe so. I think the move is the way it is for better or for worse. Someone may have feelings about it as a genre, but this film was made by a bunch of studio executives trying to capture a certain market. Itís because the director, Katja von Garnier, want it to be this way ad this is the way she saw it. I think thatís the strength of all these genres, they continue to exist and survive because they are elastic. They can be seen so many different ways. Someone will make a really tough, adult, gruesome werewolf movie somewhere down the line. I donít have a problem with any of them. I think the minute you try and provide a definitive answer you just going to be wrong. FEARS: One of my favorite questions to ask actors is about the nature of genre films, as opposed to a straight comedy or drama. I think something like a horror film, something fantastical, offers an actor the opportunity to show the fill range of their acting spectrum.  Hugh Dancy: I certainly do. I think a genre is something specific, but fantasy is something that enters into any kind of good story. Some of the greatest movies, like a Fellini movie, are like dreams. They donít have to be a particular genre to have that element of fantasy to them. A film like ìPanís Labyrinth,î which I should say I havenít seen, is obviously blended a historical landscape with fantasy. Clearly a lot of people have enjoyed it and appreciated. FEARS: Genre fans are a rather interesting community. I know itís just now opening up here in the States and abroad, but I was wondering if youíve had the opportunity to be embraced by the fans yet? Hugh Dancy: No I havenít, to be honest. The film hasnít come out yet and talking to you has been my first foray, and for the movie, into the fan realm and to see what type of response it gets. As you say, itís a unique kind of audience. I suppose weíre looking to reach out every audience, but the genre audience is going to appreciate what you do or hate it. You just have to live with that. FEARS: And there are a lot of young nubile girls out there in thee genre waiting to show their appreciation! You do have to content with Olivier Martinez, but you do emerge the victorious.  Hugh Dancy: Letís face it Iím the winner! (Laughs) FEARS: As BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE emerges what can fans look forward to seeing you in next, and anything particular youíre excited about? Hugh Dancy: Right now Iím rehearsing for a play in New York called ìJourneyís End.î Thatís what Iím going to be involved in form the next few months. In the meantime, there is a movie called ìBeyond the Gatesî coming out in March. The movie is set in Rwanda just before and during the genocide that took place in 1994. Itís a very powerful film. There is a movie called ìSavage Graveî coming out later in the year, with Julianne Moore that I do a little bit on and was extremely fun. I have another film called ìEveningî coming soon. So Iíve been incredibly busy over the last half of year. Itís nice. I can sit here in New York working on this play as these things roll out. Itís a great position to be in. LINK THIS ARTICLE             |
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