THE TIMES BFI 53rd LONDON FILM FESTIVAL: FANTASTIC MR. FOX PRESS CONFERENCE
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 11:22AM | Leila De Lara 
(October 13, 2009 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) Opening night of The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival saw the world premier of Wes Anderson's interpretation of Fantastic Mr. Fox, bounding onto the screen in all of it's red carpet glory. Adapted from the original popular children's book by Roald Dahl, the film employed stop-motion animation techniques to great effect, bringing the story to life. With a selection of some of Hollywood's finest as voice actors, this superbly visual delight is scattered with great dialogue and tremendous wit, ensuring audiences everywhere will be enthralled by the tale.
At a very prestigious London hotel before the gala screening, SHARP OBJEX stopped in at one the most highly anticipated press conferences of the festival.
In the room next to director Mr. Anderson himself, and positioned behind figures of the characters they lend their voice to, sat the likes of: George Clooney, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, and Jarvis Cocker.
(October 13, 2009 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) Wes Anderson, in a rather dapper looking yellow suit strangely similar to his leading character, Mr. Fox's, told us of how this Dahl classic was actually the first book he ever possessed."It was a book I loved as a child and also it introduced me to Roald Dahl's works in general, so it made a big impression on me.
Voicing the cunning hero of the film, Mr. Fox, George Clooney was asked what he thought of the character as a fox.
"What I thought of him as a fox?” He laughs before continuing. “Listen, for me this guy was just an optimist and I really thought it was a fun character to play. I had a lot of fun on the film, working with such a great cast. I didn’t enjoy working with Bill, though. There was a lot of hatred there at first.” He smiles at Bill playfully while saying “That's fair to say. We fought a lot."
Bill Murray, confirmed this statement in his typical deadpan style with, “That's accurate George."
(October 13, 2009 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) With this horde of press before him, hands flying into the air eager to get their questions delivered, it was only inevitable that Mr. Clooney would have to answer something around his personal life. Confused by the word “broody”, one British reporter used while asking whether having an on screen son has made the star want for children of his own. Clooney confirms its meaning before replying. "You know, just having Jason here next to me, I feel like a father.” He grins, putting an arm around Mr Schwartzman who plays Mr. Fox's son. “And he just got married by the way, so I feel almost like a grandfather. So yes, I'm jumping right into it.
This cues another reporter to leap straight in with the fact that in the selection of films that he features in, that are showing at this festival, he seems to play a lot of characters that have to learn to embrace responsibility eventually. Thus, does he think that this spawns all these questions on marriage and children? Swiftly George responds. “"You went from there to there. That was good man. I have to applaud you on that. That's a hard swing." Bill Murray interjects, musing that perhaps he should consider adoption. “Yeah, I’ll adopt some kids” he laughs back at him. “I’ll adopt some of Brad Pitt’s. I owe him a few.”
(October 13, 2009 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) It was at this point that the obligatory question gets asked that really throws the panel. In this case it was a very admirable question:
"The choice to use stop-motion animation, was that in anyway influenced by its origins, in the films of Czech director Jan Svankmajer? Were you trying to use the medium as a means of political subversion?"
The looks of quiet bewilderment are cut short by Murray leaning into his microphone casually. “Wow, thank you!” he says amidst laughter which had been momentarily suppressed. “That’s the question we’ve all been waiting for. That’s the reason we flew here today! "Go get 'em Wes!"
Anderson, clearly pondering, attempts a reply. “That kind of Eastern European animation was an inspiration to me, I hadn't thought of the political links, but I do think the movie- and Dahl- is a bit anarchic...and the movie is a bit of a Robin Hood story, so it's a bit communist I think."
"But also British” Murray ends for him, raising laughs. “Very British."
The conference is flowing well, and perhaps continuing with the more thoughtful questions, someone asks what the moral behind the story is. Cheekily, and with mirth, Clooney responds.
"Stealing is good,' he says. “It honours thievery. Theft is a good thing.” The audience laugh as he clears his thoat. “Ok, let me try again…Well, we were all about just trying to be true to your animal nature... Is that better?"
(October 13, 2009 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) After reflecting on whether animated films are a realm that would continue to appeal to Wes or Clooney, which incidentally it is, the panel were asked about the highlights of the project for them.
Wally Wolodarsky was particularly enlighting around the method of recording their voices.
"I’ve done voice work before with The Simpsons and stuff, but usually in feature films you don’t record with the rest of the cast. Here, we were all alongside each other on a farmhouse having great fun actually doing stuff. You know, where we were running, we actually ran. And when we were hiding behind bushes, we actually hid behind bushes."
Mr. Schwartzman however, enjoyed the company of a cast who he admires. “Just to take a step back and look at them too, like George. Not just for those obvious reasons, but yeah, I liked to watch them. I know that sounds really strange.” This being answer which was accompanied by laughter around the room.
Jarvis Cocker, who plays a human but who also wrote a few songs for the film, pondered over whether his line was still actually included. Wes Anderson assured him he did still have a part. “Oh, I do?” he replies “Well, I put a lot of feeling and preparation into that one line, and I just hope you can feel the pain and effort that went into it…”
(October 13, 2009 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) Next, almost effortlessly, Bill Murray gave his opinion on a question exploring whether he experienced any stress or worry leading up to the film's release. It seems that Roald Dahl's wife expressed how difficult her husband was before the book was published, as he exclaimed in fear that it may be his last book.
"Well, I was with Felicity just the other day,” he replied straight faced. “And she made me feel exactly the same way.” The room explodes with laughter as George turns to him questioning. “Is this your last film?
"Yes....Goodbye,” Murray replies. “"She brings out the real fear in you...He’s dead now so he’s safe. She can’t do him any damage now.” He waits for the bubble of amusement to fade before valiantly digging himself out the hole he created. “She’s quite a person. They had quite a life together and she’s very devoted to him very much even now. I’m sure that in that moment it must have been very forceful for to realize there is nothing she can do for him. It’s an anxiety no person can help you with. It’s your own question about your own self worth. But she’s a wonderful, wonderful woman and if I were going to remarry I’d take a chance on her."
Anderson was then asked why he chose American voice actors for a significantly English piece of children's literature.
"Well, Noah Baumbach and I adapted the script, and we work better writing American voices so we decided we would make all the animals American and all the humans British," Wes replies. There is a perfectly timed pause between this and Bill Murray's addition: "Because they are the bad guys."
(October 13, 2009 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) After Wes commented on how he thought the film was no more scary than the book, George told by a reporter that he could now officially be called “foxy”, and Bill mused on a question around whether he improvised a lot in this film, SHARP OBJEX raised its own question to Mr. Murray. Mainly due to already hearing the questions about the animation, the inspirations, and influences, there were ponderings around the difficultly of bringing characters to life when you play so many parts in so little time. In this example alone, how does one put one's self into a creation, but also bring out particular badger like qualities? Obviously method acting would be a bit tough! Thus spawning the question:
"You've gone from playing yourself in Zombieland, to going into your inner badger. Did you channel anything to become this badger-like-goodness as it were?"
There was a brief pause.
"My little animal secrets must remain my little animal secrets”, he replied, adding, “How I do my nails and everything, that’s really my business.” He continued, smiling through the facade of seriousness.
"But channelling the badger?... Well, we all have little critters inside us, don’t we? I mean, we all burrow deep, deep, deep down to be safe or to get away from other people… This doesn’t really make any sense to you, does it? Look, you know what, if you haven’t played a badger, we can’t have this conversation....”
Fantastic Mr. Fox can be seen in UK cinemas from 23rd October, and in the US from 13th November.
The Times BFI London Film Festival will continue for its 16 days of features, until its closing night gala showcasing the premiere of Nowhere Boy on 29th October.
Fantastic Mr. Fox Press Conference Part 3. (Includes question by UK Coorespondent, Leila de Lara at SHARP OBJEX 8:48.) Video courtesy of Licester Square TV.
Fantastic Mr. Fox Press Conference Part 4 continued.
Fantastic Mr. Fox Trailer
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