Joaquin Phoenix

Emmanuel Itier: You seem to enjoy international press…

Joaquin Phoenix: I do! I do! And it’s all about the way you guys ask things. You know, I just had a phone interview with some American journalist, and after seven minutes, even though it was a 30-minute interview, I just hung up on her. All her questions were kind of loaded, and I could not go any longer. I thought it was unfair and that I didn’t need to bother with her any longer.

EI: You’re right, and I think a good interview is conducted when it’s approached as a free-style conversation with no expectations but to spend a good time talking about interesting things…

JP: Yes, and you need to be nice. Let the flow go around…

EI: Also, sometimes with our accents, things get lost in translation…

JP: Well, I’m telling you that you guys speak sometimes better English than some of these American journalists out there…

EI: Were you familiar with the subject matter of the film–hit and run?

JP: Sure. But you know, for me, it’s a drama. It’s a thriller. I approached the film as an actor trying to interpret what was written. I didn’t really do any specific research of some sort.

EI: You’re not a typical Hollywood actor. You’re not playing the Hollywood thing, the Hollywood game…

JP: I don’t even know what the game is. If I knew the game, maybe I would play it, but I really don’t get a clue about what game you’re supposed to play in Hollywood. Nobody told me about any “game.”

EI: Is it hard for you to be yourself and keep some sense of integrity in Hollywood?

JP: No, it’s not hard because you have to seek these things out, this bullshit side of Hollywood. First of all, I’m very fortunate because my life doesn’t seem to be very appealing to the press. I never had that kind of rush of paparazzi. The first time I met Eva Mendes, there were a bunch of paparazzi and I could not believe this was happening. Every once in a while, I’m aware of that because some friend of mine would call me telling me he saw me, dickhead, filling up my gas tank in some magazine. Who would take a picture of me filling up my car with gasoline? And sure, I’m aware of what’s going on with the media getting crazy about me when a movie is about to come out and you have billboards with my face all over. I think that there are things you consciously need to avoid, and this is one of these things. I never read any Hollywood-type magazine like Entertainment Weekly, nor do I watch shows like Entertainment Tonight or The Insider. I will never watch any of these shows, and I think it’s a mistake to watch them. I just don’t attend those things I’m invited to just to go out or just have a photo taken. And don’t get me wrong–I tried desperately to date attractive movie actresses, but they all turned me down. So this is why I don’t end up in tabloids. I’d love to have that opportunity! [Laughs] But I think this is part of a life you cultivate, and you can cultivate that life. And we know there are people out there whose lives are all about being a pro at being photographed. You can create a sense of celebrity whether you do something or not. But also, you can avoid that life. It’s a mixture of decisions and efforts that I made, and a lack of interest from the public. I don’t think it’s just me. If I was going out with someone famous, maybe there would be more attention on me. But as it is, there is not a great deal of attention on me, and I’m glad.

EI: But isn’t it a downer not to be in those magazines and shows? Because they say that if you are, you get more work going on.

JP: I think you have to look at the long term. You have to look at “do I want to do that?” I don’t want to taint my experience of acting. I get to choose and pick movies today that I really want to do, even if it means sometimes not being paid as much, and it’s fine. So yes, there might some of this effect not to get paid as much because I’m not as much in the public eye, but I feel that if I was taking those types of movies and doing that type of press, well, maybe in a few years I would feel drained and I wouldn’t want to be part of this industry anymore. I probably wouldn’t have any more appreciation for what I’m doing, and I would find my life unbearable. Already being an actor today makes me question if I want to continue doing what I’m doing…at times. I’m not sure it’s working for me. Like doing all of this press of such-and-such movie. I’m not sure I keep wanting to do this. I don’t like to get my picture taken. I always try to find some greater truth in the process of making films that is valid for me. But on the other hand, it’s fucking hard not to keep doing movies with a nice and sweet salary with a large number of zeroes on the check. I’m addicted by it. I know it can cost me. And so until I decide “this is it,” I’m gonna make sure that what I’m doing is something that I still have some respect for and still enjoy.

EI: Did you think about doing something else in the industry to get a “fresh inspiration,” such as directing?

JP: Directing is not for me. I don’t have enough patience for it. I don’t really have issues with the press anyway, I just don’t want to be the center of intention. I don’t necessarily want to talk about my life, and I don’t think I have anything insightful to say about acting or about anything. So no, I don’t want to direct. Maybe I’ll get into props or something. I did a few videos and they are awful, so I don’t think I have what it takes.

EI: So do you do other things than acting?

JP: Yes, I have plenty of things that I do and that are completely removed from this business, but I don’t want to talk about it. This is part of my private life, and it’s not that I’m trying to hide anything, but I want to keep a part of my life that is not affected by all of this.

EI: Do you live in New York or L.A.?

JP: I live in L.A. Yes, I know–I want to have my life not be on the front page, but I live on Sunset Boulevard–in the belly of the beast!

EI: You rolled up your car in an accident lately. What was it like?

JP: It was like sex. One moment I knew what was happening, then I was upside-down, I was pushed around. It happened so quickly. Ultimately, it was fun! I survived this roller-coaster ride, and I hate roller-coasters, but this was fun. It was such a bizarre experience. By the way, the car ended up on the side, not rolled up.

EI: The movie is also about revenge. Where do you think, in that respect, that the United States will go and do war next? What direction is the US going to?

JP: I don’t know what direction they’re going to, but I can’t imagine it’s a very good one! Let’s hope for the best.