MovieChat Forums > Liebestraum Discussion > Kim Novak speaks about Liebestraum

Kim Novak speaks about Liebestraum

posted 19 years ago by lylahclare
40 replies | jump to latest

In "Hollywood Life" magazine (July-August 2005) :

"I know (Figgis) thinks I'm a total bitch. That role was fabulous, full of depth, and when I interpreted it the way I thought was evident in the incredible script, he said, 'We're not making a Kim novak movie, just say the lines.' Usually, I would have just said the words, played it and moved on, but in this case I felt so strongly about the script, I persisted and thought, 'How many more movies and opportunities will there be?' He said, 'If you continue to play the role this way, I'm just going to cut you out of the movie,' and he pretty much did. In this case, I take total responsability for being unprofessional. He was not only the author, but the director. But he never listened to my point of view. It wiped me out."

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] bissondanielr 15 years ago

I Thought this was a hidden gem of a movie Kevin MacDaoald better performances and thought Miss Novak was great in all of her scenes this will go down as her last movie?bangmelove289

[–] maisonvivante 18 years ago

I don't understand why Figgis would lure a LIVING LEGEND out of retirement and then not listen to her point of view! It seems ridiculous on his part! He must of been aware of how special it was to have Kim as part of his film. Why not be more collaborative with her even if he disagreed? I'm sure she would have played it the way he wanted if she felt she were being HEARD.

[–] Eliot_Hosewater 17 years ago

Maybe it's because Figgis is a dipchit.

[–] idylwild777 18 years ago

I did not totally understand this movie..and Kim Novak was wasted. The only good thing in the movie was seeing Kev Anderson in the buff

[–] chrisforliberty 17 years ago

Alfred Hitchcock was about the only director who didn't waste Kim.

Communities don't have rights. Only individuals in the community have rights.
Michael Badnarik

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] chrisforliberty 17 years ago

Mike Figgis has made one good movie in my opinion that being Leaving Las Vegas. Beyond that, not much else.

'How many more movies and opportunities will there be?'

Well Kim, hopefully, at least another appearance in a worthwhile movie or two.

Communities don't have rights. Only individuals in the community have rights.
Michael Badnarik

[–] bitherwack 17 years ago

I think thats what makes a great director; the ability to respect the actors' abilities, and leave the directing to the directors, the acting to the actors.
Hitchcock was excellent at it- knowing who was right for a part, and letting them do their stuff. I think Woody Allen is excellent at it too. He often admits that the point to good directing is to get excellent people, and then let them do their thing.

[–] Francoesque-2 16 years ago

Considering Figgis got career best performances from Kevin Anderson, Bill Pullman and Pamela Gidley on this job, I wouldn't make too many negative comments as to his directorial style.

He's also pulled aces with Nic Cage, Richard Gere (twice), Andy Garcia, Elizabeth Shue and even Julian Sands (who's only ever good in Figgis's films and "Romasanta"), so I'm confident he was working with the actor for the best of the film (even if they don't realise it in the moment). Certainly, Novak's work here is the best she has achieved since 1958 and I don't think Falcon's Crest had been keeping her up to speed with creating great characters.

Directors are sometimes bastards in order to elicit the required response from an actor. We can't go around treating them with kid gloves all the time and psychological warfare plays it's part.

[–] thomas196x2000 17 years ago

My wife is named after Kim Novak!

That useless bit of information aside, it's clear that this Figgis guy doesn't know how to handle actors. Saying "we're not making a Kim Novak movie, just say the lines" pretty much shows what a *beep* to use another posters term, this guy was.

An "actors director" might let them have a few takes "their way", then ask them to try it slightly different. By having a few key takes plus the right to do what you do in the editing room, you're covered. Insulting a veteran professional is low class.

[–] 17 years ago

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