Customer Reviews

Roman Polanski: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers)

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Polanski is perhaps my favortie director. I was excited upon the release of this book of selected interviews... it is always great to hear from the director himself.

Four stars for the following reasons (though for some these may be positive points):

- Some of the interviews are quite dated, going as far back as the mid-sixties. While interesting to hear of the directors evolution, it can also be disorienting since questions such as "The Fearless Vampire Killers seems to be your most important film to date..." while, later on, the same question is asked, just replaced with another film such as "Pianist" (which the book does cover)

- There is not a lot of focus on technical questions and aspects of the films. As a filmmaker myself, I am always interested in how things come together technically and how many of the scenes are executed. There was not much empasis on this, which leads me to another crticism...

- As it may be expected, many of the interviewers harp on the questions about his late wife Sharon Tate, and the statutory rape episode. It may be interesting to some, but for me it's all old... just let it go. I am really more interested in what he has to say about his films.

- Though I have a lot of issues with the book, as a whole it is very interesting. Especially if you are a fan of Polanski. Though his admirerers will know much of what is talked about in the book (such as the Manson murders), much is still to be learned. He often talks about how a film came to frutation... sometimes of a personal nature, but at times from a small detail that the film is then based around. Relationships with actors, issues with studios, influences... this book touches base with a little bit of everything.

Polanski fans should definitely pick this up. Others, maybe not...

but the entire 'Conversations with Filmmakers' series should be invaluable to all with an avid interest in film.