VIM Magazine Interview

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "VIM Magazine Interview"

Jonathan Wiggins
5 years ago
Views:

years he has been enjoying his profession. The thing is, ever since he left his hometown, Vergara, to give the Spanish TV show SMS a try, he has been involved in project after project.

1 YonGonzalezInternational.com VIM Magazine Interview Pages Translation by: Gema Sola Although he [Yon González] loves traveling on his motorcycle, aimlessly until he is lost, we have not lost track of him in the ten years he has been enjoying his profession. The thing is, ever since he left his hometown, Vergara, to give the Spanish TV show SMS a try, he has been involved in project after project. El Internado catapulted him to the heights of the TV industry, followed by Gran Reserva, and Gran Hotel, which made him the best representative of Bambú Producciones (a Spanish production company). At 28, Yon is in one of the sweetest moments of his life. He is returning to the big screen with Perdiendo el Norte, a new comedy by Atresmedia Cine while he impatiently waits for the release of Matar el Tiempo ( Killing Time ), a project he shares with his brother, Aitor Luna, and that he feels very excited about. And to top it off, he leads on Tuesday nights with his new TV show Bajo Sospecha, which has already become the premiere of the year, engaging nearly four million viewers. Far from the image given off by some of his most popular characters, Yon is a fun and outgoing guy, who was candid in a chat with VIM Magazine about his projects, his passions and his hopes. 1

2 After some time away from the spotlight, you return to the limelight through the front door with both a TV series and a film. Perdiendo el Norte is about to hit theaters- your second feature as the main character. What will people see when they go to the cinema? The film touches on the current crisis we are experiencing here. A couple of friends decide to emigrate to another country, thinking it will be easier. But they get a dose of reality when they see that coming from another country, they must learn the language and spend some time there to do well. In this case they go to Berlin. And until they learn German for job interviews, they work in a kebab place so they can afford accommodation and livelihood. The film tries to bring humor to the big drama we are living in this country [Spain], where everything goes up economically, except for our salaries. In fact, there was a movie made forty years ago by José Sacristán, Vente a Alemania, Pepe, which features the same idea. That there will be good times, but that there will also be times of crisis. We ve been going through these ups and downs since the 16th century. What part of Yon will we find in this story? You will see a very different character compared to what you have seen of me before. It's a fresh, cool character, so I had to give a much stronger performance, and he is a more naive than the other parts I've played so far. Were you looking forward to returning to the film industry? In making movies or TV shows it is important to be surrounded by good people and talent that is backed up by a good story. The characters in a movie have an arc and a journey that are not in the same level as the ones in a TV series. And yes, I definitely wanted to get back to work. What attracted you from this project that made you want to be part of it? My cast mates in this project are great comedians and that appealed to me very much. Because this job requires you to be in 2

an endless learning process, always trying to evolve. And what helps you evolve more than the people that you work with in a movie, and that you admire?

3 an endless learning process, always trying to evolve. And what helps you evolve more than the people that you work with in a movie, and that you admire? Among all the famous names in this project, I would like to emphasize José Sacristán, who starred, as we already mentioned, in a similar story that Perdiendo el Norte also reflects. What do you take from working with a whole institution in the cinematic landscape of our country? José Sacristán is pure wisdom. All of his tremendous projects are very present when you're by his side and make working with him a comfortable and easy task. Additionally, in this project you fall in love with Blanca Suárez again, the actress with whom you proved to have a special chemistry in the TV series that led you to success. In what way have you noticed these five years that have passed since then? Did it take you long to reconquer her? I have always been comfortable working with Blanca, and the scenes I share with her in this movie were very easy because we both work with the same code. We have known each other for a while now, we have chemistry and it s always easy with her in that sense. I m very happy she was there. In the movie you play Hugo, a very qualified young man who is forced to migrate in search of opportunities that he cannot have in Spain. Is it complicated to reflect such a latent reality with humor or is it better to just laugh? When doing comedy, the most important thing is the rhythm you follow, how you tell the joke to your mate, and you really have to confront it from the truth, like a dramatic role. In fact, the funny part is in the characters drama. But yes, it was difficult to reflect reality. For this production that was set in Berlin, you spent some time filming in the German capital. Does filming away from home feel different or is it more intense? When you film abroad, you can t go back home to your people, your energy, so I always bring my candles, my incense and my laptop with movies to create my own atmosphere when I finish 3

4 work and have a moment of peace. Our stay in Berlin was wonderful, it's an amazing city with great electronic music [laughs]. What is the fondest anecdote you remember from those few weeks? The post-filming party [laughs]. What is the most difficult thing about making people laugh? Making people laugh [laughs]! Well, not thinking that you have to make people laugh is very important when doing comedy. It is important to go with the flow and to not force it at any time. The Spanish comedy Ocho Apellidos Vascos, the highest grossing movie last year, reconquered the audiences. Do you think it's an added pressure for films such as Perdiendo el Norte, or do you have an advantage? The fact that people loved Ocho Apellidos Vascos and that it was such a huge box office success will favor a film like Perdiendo el Norte, as many people will give this movie a chance thanks to the former one. You worked with the producers from Atresmedia Cine, something that, in this day and time for the Spanish cinema, means a remarkable success at the box office. Do you think it's possible that a project stands out without a large media group s support? No. Promoting projects on television makes people go to the cinema, even if it s only out of curiosity. Apart from trying to make a good movie, the most important thing is its promotion. No matter if the film is good or bad, what interests the producers is that people go see it, and that it succeeds at the box office. And from film to television. You come back home with a new fiction project that is more cinematic than ever. Can you feel this evolution of the national fiction on the aspects that concern you as an actor? Yes. The scripts are more solid and also, thanks to new technologies, you can achieve proper lighting quickly and efficiently, with a good director of photography, of course. 4

5 Fortunately, TV companies are getting better at making fiction and they are getting closer to American series, which is the main goal. Little by little. I wish we had the budget they [Americans] have to create series. Here, we don t even have a tenth of the money they handle in America, but we are progressing well if you take into account the resources we have here. Although you insist it is not based on true facts, Bajo Sospecha addresses an issue that, unfortunately, we find on the news quite frequently. How did you face the challenge of such a real, credible and dramatic situation? The main thing is to be true to what you do, to try to make it credible, and to believe what you are going to tell. It s also important to consider what point of view you are going to tell it from, and how you are going to make people understand it. How did you come across this project? At that time, I was filming Grand Hotel, and before wrapping up, the producing company told me they had written another series for me. So when I actually finished, they had guaranteed that I would be able to continue with a new starring role on television, and also with Bambú, a wonderful production company that is changing the direction of TV. There is really no one better than them to further my development, both personally and as an actor with the series they make. I have already done three TV shows and a movie (El Club de los Incomprendidos) with them, so I am very grateful that they always count on me for work. Hopefully they will continue to do so. What was your first thought after reading the script? I loved it. I thought how great is it that I m going to play this character?! He's like the relief point of the show, which has a very dramatic story, and I try to extend the interpretation of the character. It is, after all, the day to day of a policeman and it shows how he behaves as the situation unfolds. He tries not to get affected in a strong emotional way, otherwise he will just lose objectivity when addressing the problem. 5

6 We were looking forward to the return of mystery and intrigue to the national fiction, and we see now that it comes with a cast that make their characters one of the strengths of Bajo Sospecha. What aspect makes this show the grand premiere of the year in your opinion? The way we filmed this show is a bit different from others, because we shot many uninterrupted scenes and long takes. As an actor, however, no set can help you, you have to do it yourself from the moment they say action to cut. In addition, it is a series that follows its own rhythm, it also has many silences that help create a different atmosphere. A tension is created, not by the dialogues themselves but by the energy that permeates the series. Víctor, your character, is very impulsive, sassy and resourceful. Do you see yourself reflected in any of these qualities? Sometimes [laughs], it depends on the situation. There is some character development behind it, it is not always all natural. In fact, my character in Grand Hotel and Víctor are worlds apart and, although on an ethical level they have similar values, I tried to create a difference in each interpretation. I would like people to notice that, and see that there is an actor behind every character. Let s talk a little bit about yourself What is your life like when you re working, filming something? So far, luckily, I have played mostly main characters, so usually when filming, I am on set from beginning to end, and then everything else is just routine: I go home, I study, I make dinner or order something, and then the day ends because I have to get up at six in the morning. When you're working, your social life is rather empty, because you have no time whatsoever if you really get involved in the project and want to do well. In my case it is like that, if I want a good result. It is a bit sad really, but I like this job so much that it is certainly worth it. During the weekends you can come up for air, but I usually take the opportunity to study some more, read new scripts, and try not to stop and not to leave the bubble that I generate for myself to do well at work. And when you are not filming, what does Yon lose his head for? 6

7 I try to travel, rest, go to the beach and to the cinema I haven t really had a chance to stop until now, though, but luckily I have been traveling. It s great to leave Spain and see the real world. Quite often, when you go to another place, or when you see how people make due in poor countries, you realize that some of the problems that you have given importance to are not really that important after all. I love traveling because you see life from another perspective, you leave this cage where we give ourselves an importance we don t really have. Traveling helps you appreciate everything more and teaches you how to take care of yourself. I have been told that you usually travel with your motorcycle. What road or highway would you take right now to get lost, and what soundtrack would you pick? I would pick Arcade Fire, and right now I would go through the mountains to Segovia, I d go to Navacerrada which has a wonderful mountain pass. It s such a pity that the pass is so short. You can make it up there in ten minutes [laughs]. I've ridden my motorcycle further than Paris, and I've been all over Italy, driving back to Spain through the French Riviera, with the sea to my left. I love aimless long journeys and the feeling of getting lost. You share your passion with your brother Aitor, with whom you also share a part in the film Matar el Tiempo, still pending release. What do you admire most about him? The love of my life is, has been, and will always be my brother. He is my accomplice, my companion, my guide and my everything. When I feel lost, he is always there for me. He has taught me to respect this job and to be disciplined. When I m asked for a reference, I always say my brother!. Everyone mentions American actors, Juan Diego, Roberto Álamo... Yes, of course they are amazing, but for me it has always been my brother who has been and is always there, and besides, he's a professional. What can you tell us about Matar El Tiempo? It is a wonderful project, with a great script and a director that is a genius (Antonio Hernández). Someone that, with a few words and in a quick and efficient way, draws you into the atmosphere, makes you feel what he wants you to feel. We prepared the character in 7

8 two evenings, and followed little by little and with a certain degree of flexibility. We made a twenty-four minute sequence, which happens to be the bulk of my character. That journey was possible thanks to my talented colleagues, our really great communicator Antonio Hernández, and a fantastic story. The most important thing after all is who you surround yourself with and doing everything with love, complicity and listening. How did Antonio come up with his project? Antonio is a lifelong friend and wrote this script for Aitor and me. If it were someone else, they would have made this film with much older characters and wouldn t have given the opportunity to actors like my brother and I to play two psychopaths. Fortunately we proved that we could do the role. In that sense, Antonio has relied on us and the result is very good. I am very proud because it is the film industry that moves me; I love it and I would like to do more. When can we see it? We re taking the movie to the Málaga Film Festival, so after that people will be able to see it. Acting came to you by pure chance. How was it when you had to leave your people in Vergara to give TV show SMS a try? Honestly, I was totally clueless. When I was offered a job as an actor, I told my friends, Guys, I'm going to Madrid to work as an actor!, without really knowing what I was saying. I came to Madrid, to my brother s flat, and they gave me six scripts that we would have to shoot in a week. We filmed more than one episode per day (my record of daily scenes was thirty-two) and learning fifty pages by heart after working 14 hour days was incredibly hard. It was a brutal training, but I'm glad because it gave me experience, so when I make a weekly series or a movie right now it s not so hard and I have more time to enjoy other things. Looking back in time, what remains of the Yon we met ten years ago? Nothing and everything. I m still the same guy, I m interested in the same things. Now I m just more aware of some things that I wasn t aware of when I was younger. When it comes to values and 8

9 humanity I am the same person. Now I m more consistent, more observant and more experienced, because, in the end, that s what life is about. What would you tell your future self, ten years from now? Do not lose hope. That's what makes this job work, where your strength comes from when you are discouraged. I have not lost it so far, but that s what I would say to my future self, just in case [laughs]. 9

Adapting International TV Formats for specific publics Realities for mature (and maybe younger) audiences in Spanish regional television

Adapting International TV Formats for specific publics Realities for mature (and maybe younger) audiences in Spanish regional television Realities for mature (and maybe younger) audiences in Spanish regional television Juan Francisco Gutiérrez Lozano University of Málaga (Andalucía, Spain) jfg@uma.es Researching+the+Localisa0on+of+Film,+