Q: What actors and psychotherapists have in common?
A: They both have a fundamental interest in human behavior. How do we deal with each other? What is our relationship with social conventions? These are questions that will explore each artist and each therapist.
Q: How actor should keep in touch with his subconscious?
A: He must be as honest to himself as possible. In my work as an actor first and foremost I use my own person as a benchmark. My motivations, insecurities, vulnerabilities, weaknesses or my reactions to certain things - mostly I was developing my character out of these self-observations. But sometimes it's good to rush into just a strange person and disappear into the role.
Q: How would you describe the very special manner of talk between Carl Gustav Jung and Sigmund Freud?
A: We are dealing here with academics, in an era in which the verbal discourse and the power of language were of the utmost importance. The vocabulary was enormous in those circles, it was both tool and weapon. This linguistic assets we have no more today. The screenplay for "A Dangerous Method" is therefore very eloquent, and I've spent much time trying to find the rhythm of the language.
Q: Would you say that Freud and Jung had a classic Oedipal relationship?
A: First, there is a relationship between master and pupil. Freud, Jung was a very important source of inspiration. But then it comes to a point where pupil must break his relationship to the master in order to follow his own ideas. And since then we have the classical father complex scenario.
Q: Do you see Carl's patient and beloved Sabina as his scientific muse or the love of his life?
A: I think she was the love of his life. But of course these two are intertwined. Jung wants to prove himself as a young man in his profession and he needs this woman to deal with his therapy. Sabina Spielrein is his guinea pig, but he can also cure her. This experience forms an intimate bond between the two.
Q: Jung also explored mythical worlds. If you look at the today's Popcorn cinema, mythical stories seem more than ever relevant. You have played Magneto in X-Men and Stelios in 300 - why are these myths in our modern world are still so important?
A: These mythical stories do not have a clear sense of what is right and wrong. They are peopled with honest characters who try to act fairly and thereby be in conflict with the world. In Greek mythology stories heard are heavyweight and these ancient stories are still used everywhere from the comic adaptation to the soap opera.
Q: "A Dangerous Method", it's also about the dark sides to explore one's own soul. For which film you are immersed in this aspect as an actor?
A: In my last film by Steve McQueen "Shame" I play a sex addict - a very lonely character who is in a very gloomy state of mind. There I'm very deeply into these dark worlds where soul immersed.
Q: How much of one's own fears must be overcomed for such a role?
A: I like roles that scare me. I am looking for the challenge and I like to move out of the comfort zone. The only way for you as an actor to learn something.
Q: Your father is German. To what extent do you feel connected to the country? Do you have a typical German trait or is there some of which you are very glad to not have them?
A: I was born in Germany, raised in Ireland, live in London for fifteen years. National borders is not particularly interest me. I feel European. But I'm very disciplined in my work and I have definitely learned that from my father. German trait which I fortunately do not have? Well, I do not like to think of rules.
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