Interview with TV Mag (France) 2008

EXCLUSIVE: TV Magazine met George Clooney

04/04/2008 by Nathan Chuc, special correspondent in Los Angeles

To observe it in person, in this sequel to Los Angeles, we understand without really being able to analyze why no one can resist the charm of George Clooney. This man exudes cheerfulness, humor and intelligence. He has a perpetual smile cute (except when he speaks of Darfur, its cause, its battle) - even his smile wrinkles on his forehead. Ultra-thin in jeans, with a simple black polo that enhances your tan, George is the friendliness and good humor embodied. What else? "

The action of Leatherheads is in 1925, it was really like watching a period film, especially since the Roaring Twenties seyent you to wonder ...
Thank you (smile). We travel in the past is true. That's exactly what I wanted to do as a director on the film. I used the same kind of dialogue, framing and style. That's the trick. Of course it's not in color and black and white but they are the same camera movements: instead of using cameras in the shoulder which usually give a very rapid movement in the film, I used sequence shots , slower. And it was filmed from cranes for static shots.

This is your third film as director after Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Good Night, and Good Luck, but the first that is neither personal nor engaged. You wanted to do something lighter?
All the films I made are very serious, very political. I was afraid of being labeled. For the media I became one only makes political thrillers. I do not want to become the moral conscience of America. I just want to be a director. I actually shaped my career to be more an actor. So I felt ready to do something really different. Yet ten years ago I read an early synopsis of this film, but the script was not working well. It had good characters but no real story. We spent the summer of 2006 to rewrite it. I returned in September and I said to Universal Studio, "I think I want a good movie. But if you want us to do we'd better do it quickly because I am 45 years ago and I am getting old ... "(laughs)

The way you interpret your character, Dodge, both awkward and seductive, reminds me a lot Tom Selleck in Magnum ...
It's fun to hear you say that ... I love it and I am inspired by him and James Garner series The Rockford Files (1974). Tom Selleck can play "the guy who does not take itself seriously" better than anyone. And at the same time, it is handsome. We can always learn from a guy like him.

Speaking of Magnum, the idea was a time that you resume the role of Selleck in adapting the series to the movies?
I heard about it, but it is only a rumor. Anyway, it ruled: Tom is 1m93 and I qu'1m79, it will not be possible! (Laughs) And then Tom is still handsome: it could very well resume its own role. Let the Magnum again!

You play a professional footballer. Did you obey a particular drive?
Let's say I have always been very athletic. I grew up playing football with my friends. I made the basketball and baseball in high school ... But, yes, I really had to be at the top of my form for this movie because it was not easy. I had to play 3-4 hours per day for 4 months and a half! That's when I lost weight. In addition, it is not the football we know. In Leatherheads, it looks more like rugby ... a sport-based types who cling to each other (he mimes) and send each other fisheries in the nose! (Laughs)

Have you taken a few shots?
Oh yes! The very first day - I must say that I underwent back surgery and neck in the past - I received a blow that knocked me, I fell ass in the mud! There, I said to the guy: "We had a break. New rule: DO NOT KNOCK THE DIRECTOR - no matter what. Thank you! (Smile). It allowed me to come back to reality. I actually forgot that I had 46 years ...

In the scenes of the game on the ground, you feel you had a good time: you display a genuine smile of a child amazed!
(He laughs) It was very funny to do. You know, once we decided how far one could go in the game, in comedy, you have to let go. Plus it was big, the better. A bit like on the set of O'Brother. It was the same kind of humor. There is no limit for this type of film.

You say that your films are like your children what kind of child is Leatherheads?
Quite a brat (laughs) It's funny because I play a character very different from that of Michael Clayton, my last movie. I have the chance to play the two extremes. Most actors are confined to playing only in a single register: the funny guy or serious guy. I think never impressed the public in an enormous role that would crush the other. So, they let me do what I want.

in the film, there is a big seduction scene between you and Renee Zellweger. In private life, how do we live in a first encounter with a stranger when you're George Clooney?
(Laughter) The big difference when I meet a woman, man or child, they know more about me than I know about them. When you do not know you, you can really be yourself all the time. If you want to be funny or bad hair, you can. I think people have an idea of ​​what I am or should be according to them. On one side you can not be yourself. But on the other hand, fame can go straight to the point and open more quickly to others. And people laughed more easily too ...

Is that the kiss scene with Renee had an air of deja vu ... in real life?
No, not in real life (laughs). I think I slipped one day in an interview. I said I was out with Renee, but I was joking. It was also at that moment that I realized that a joke does not like your TV or print media. For three days, Renee was devastated and told me "You killed me (laughs). I was crestfallen ... Renee is truly one of my best friends. We're very close. We called at least once a week or so we send text messages. It's amazing how things as quickly explode in the media. This week I was woken up several times at 7am by my phone! I open my mail and I read that I'm engaged. I say "Wow, I'm fiance 'and I go back to bed. The next morning I read that I come back to ER - gold is not true. Like I said, 'Great, I go back to ER. " It's like this every day. And once the info is published, it is already commented on TV and reprinted a thousand times before you have had time to deny ...

Do you watch TV? Do you have favorite shows?
I can only answer the series The Office, because John * plays it. I watch much TV, especially news of all kinds. But I especially love the talk shows and political shows.

Can you still enjoy an espresso at your villa near Lake Como without someone telling you 'What else' **?
Well done! I can only send people to buy coffee for me (laughs)! But the most fun for another advertisement I made for Martini in Italy, said the slogan: "No Martini, No party! "(The actor is seen slamming the door on a beautiful plant because it lacks the famous bottle). Now, wherever I go in Italy, I was told (with emphasis) "Georgio! Hey! No Martini, No party! "(Laughs) It makes me laugh frankly. And incidentally, what kind of pub is a great way to laugh at myself. I need not take me seriously.

Through your advertising, sales of Nespresso increased 42% in 2006. You knew?
Really? Tell them they m'augmentent! (Laughs)

You who are so politically active, what do you think of our president?
I do not know Nicolas Sarkozy. I've never met, but I heard he was going through a difficult period in the polls. By cons I am very familiar with Bernard Kouchner! It was found some months ago in the Congo. I can not tell you what I think is great. It is a brilliant mind. He is incredibly brave and has a very good sense of humor. I know it may offend some people, but it's also what I like about him.

And then there are people who promise much and those who act. Kouchner is one of those. Let me describe my meeting with him was in the middle of the Congo. I was dirty and covered with dust for months, after going through Chad and Darfur. Kouchner arrived, super nice and super class in his blue jacket. He went directly to where people were being shot at and talk to them. I found it very very brave. I'm fascinated by it. He would make a good president, right?