Examiner.com
April 18 2010
Interview with Al Pacino: ‘I Put On The Kevorkian Mask’ for HBO Films
picture ‘You Don’t Know Jack’
April 18, 1:12 PMNY
by Charles Thorp
On Wednesday (April 14th) HBO Films premiered their new picture "You
Don’t Know Jack" at the historic Ziegfeld Theater. The film is based
on the story of Dr. Jack Kevorkian (aka Dr. Death) who in 1990,
astonished the world as he took the end of life debate head on with
his `Mercy Machine’ and performed his first assisted suicide. Starring
in the film by Oscar winning director Barry Levinson is Oscar winner
Al Pacino, Susan Surandon, John Goodman and Danny Huston.
We were able to catch up with two of the leads and Dr. Kevorkian
himself on the red carpet. Mr. Al Pacino was incredibly warm and
gracious in spite of his impressive acting credentials. He didn’t
remove his sunglasses through-out the interview and if he hadn’t been
smiling it just might have been intimidating to talk to "Scarface"
himself…
Was it difficult to play someone in a bio-picture when they are still alive?
Al Pacino: There’s always pressure when you’re playing someone else’s
life. It’s just compounded by the person still being around.
We heard that you dieted to get down to Dr. Kevorkian’s weight.
AP: I did diet. I only wish I could have slimmed down to his size, but
I was probably about 20 pounds off.
How did you lose the weight?
AP: That’s the easy part. You just eat less, maybe half of what you
normally do, it’s not that hard.
Who would you want to play you in a bio-pic?
AP: Oh I can’t answer that. That would be in all the papers.
How was working with Susan Surandon in this film?
AP: She’s great, she’s a real heroine of mine. She’s a great actress.
It was wonderful working with someone like her. She’s so committed and
she really gets into it. She loved this role, the story and was
excited to do it.
How does she stay so gorgeous?
AP: I beg your pardon, what about me? What about me?
What do you think about this Youtube video with 3 million views of 5
year olds doing scenes from "Scarface"?
AP: Oh yeah I heard about that. How young were these kids? 8-year-olds
maybe I could understand, but 5 year-olds?
Dr. Kevorkian is a very passionate man, whether you agree with him or
not. Was it fun to play him?
AP: It’s always nice to step outside of yourself for awhile. I feel in
love with this script. Maybe I agree with him, maybe I don’t, in any
case I put on the Kevorkian mask.
Pacino didn’t seem to be the only one at the event pleased by the
casting choices. When we asked Dr. Kevorkian, age 81, on how he felt
about Al, age 69, agreeing to do the role he said, "he’s great, he’s
great. I was happy, he’s a good one. I didn’t want just some handsome
actor, I wanted somebody who could play the part."
After the premiere HBO and the cast moved the party over to the Four
Seasons Restaurant. There Pacino and Surandon were seen chatting with
HBO executives and actors Bob Balaban and Richard Belzer.
You Don’t Know Jack will air April 24th on HBO. Whether you agree with
Kevorkian’s practices or not, it is impossible not to be compelled by
this docudrama. The story draws you in, the characters are well
developed in all the right areas, and it doesn’t take more than five
minutes for Pacino to convince you he is Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Watch the
video below for some insight on the film and the actor’s takes on the
story.
nts-Examiner~y2010m4d18-Interview-with-Al-Pacino-I -Put-On-The-Kevorkian-Mask-for-HBO-Films-picture-Y ou-Dont-Know-Jack
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress