Exclusive interview

Questions by Viol-Haine / Answers by Az.

sent by Asia Argento the 13/01/2002.

V: B-monkey will be released in France in some days, which represents this film for you ?

Az : B.Monkey is the worst experience I had cinemawise. I loved the actors and the crew, but I felt the director was very insecure, or maybe just not concentrated, plus he had a problems with the miramax gang, awful bullies, not allowing an artist to be such, that is, to allow him to do mistakes, to allow him_her to do a bad film if he wants to... So I did not enjoy the power struggle, and the character that I imagined when I read the script did not come though in the end. The film is not believable and the plot is very weak.

V : I have read in an interview of « les inrockuptibles »that you will made a record, is it true ?

Az : I have done a song recently with Hector Zazou, a french musician I truly admire, and we're currently working on an idea for an album which will be called "from a to z". Unfortunately I won't have any time to record it before next summer. I am looking forward to do live shows around Europe.

V : Which music do you listen at the moment ? (I listen Cat power at the moment)

Az : I own 5 thousand CDs, I listen to all sorts of music. Usually I concentrate on a genre and then move on to a totally different one, depending on the mood I have in that time of my life. Here are some of my favourites at the moment. Os Mutantes, White noise, Fischerspooner, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Low, Smog, The Beatles of course, Gil Scott Heron, Jesse Mae Hemphill, Savath +Savalas, The aluminium group, Martha and the Vandellas, Optiganally Yours, David Bowie, Everly Brothers, the drones, roy Ayers, etc etc etc

V: Could you tell more about your new films : La Sirène rouge XXX ,l’Assenzio, and Ginostra in little words ?

Az : I finished shooting La Sirene Rouge in December, it's an action movie done with very little money, the reason why I accepted to do this film is because I wanted to play a "positive" role, instead of being the usual scary bitch from hell. It's weird how this year I will play the cop 3 times (also in XXX and in my dad's movie, that I will do next spring). L'Assenzio is a video I shot for the band of my boyfriend, Bluvertigo, and it's done like a short movie, a period piece, inspired by decadent literature and art. It has won the award for the best music video here in Italy. In Ginostra I play a small role, a nun, I accepted to do that only because the director Manuel Pradal chased me for 2 years and I wanted to work with Harvey Keitel. I had a lot of fun with him, but I don't even know what the story of the film is about, since I never even read the script.

V : Do you want to do a new film as director after scarlet diva, and which sort of film ?

Az : Of course I want to do a new film as a director, this is why I am working like crazy now, I want to save enough money so that next summer I can go to Paris take some time off and write my movie. The story is top secret, but I can tell you that it's a classic movie, nothing to do with Scarlet. Sort of like Elephant man.

V : If it’s not too personal, could you tell me what a husband and a baby have changed in your life ( the family seemed to be very important for anna in scarlet diva)?

Az : First of all, I am not married (the whole story about going to Las Vegas was a joke). Family is very important, expecially for a rootless gipsy like me. I don't know if I've changed as a person, probably the only thing that's very different is that I am not "the most lonely girl in the world" anymore. And my ego has shrunken a great deal. But I don't believe in that lie that children change you miraculously.

V : Do you want to make a new tatoo with the name of your little baby « Anna lou » ?

Az : No, but I'm considering the idea of making one with a heart and MUM written inside.

V : I have seen a lot of pictures of you with Vera gemma, could you tell me more about your relationship with her?

Az : I met with Vera on holiday when I was 13 and she was 17, I was little and ugly, while she was gorgeous and tall and had many boyfriends. At the time nobody took me seriously, but she saw something in me, and she was the only dope friend I had. She taught me to believe in myself.

V : Which dream do you have which is still not realised ?

Az : I want to find peace. I haven't achieved that one yet. Maybe I will do when I am dead. And I want to be the most inspired director of my generation. Oh yes, the idea of becoming a rockstar is very titillating.

FIN (E)