Air America beta radio has mentioned last friday an unauthorized documentary about Leonardo DiCaprio’s life.You’re probably wondering, “What is this, the 90s?” In a way, yes. All of the footage featured in “Hangin’ With Leo” looks like it’s from the late 1990s, when DiCaprio was riding the wave of “Titanic” ending up on “The Beach.”
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Leonardo’s latest Interview!
Let the word: Di Caprio is not the most adored star of the world. Accuracy: it is no longer the star’s most adored by teenagers. This age, known to be ungrateful, replaced posters with those of Leo Zac Efron and Robert Pattison. Di Caprio is also delighted. At 35, he no longer feels any pressure and proves that unlike some actors and actresses, it is possible for Hollywood to start young and to improve with age, without any scandal. In recent years, Di Caprio has found roles commensurate with his talent. Dramatic roles for most, thanks to Martin Scorsese, has since become his mentor. Di Caprio replaces Robert De Niro, even if both players are close. They are also Leonardo Di Caprio and Robert De Niro who delivered together, the price Cecil B. Thousand Martin Scorsese at the last ceremony of the Golden Globes.
It seems that since Scorsese collaborates with Di Caprio, his films become more profitable. Is this a good thing? Neither the actor nor the director can ask the question. Shutter Island, their new film breaks all records at box office. Shutter Island is the only faithful adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Dennis Lehane. I must admit that it is impossible to explain Shutter Island. We must see it to feel. And I confess that I am not alone in this case. I will just “pitch” the movie.
In Shutter Island, two cops played by Di Caprio and the excellent Mark Ruffalo landed on a small island to shed light on the mysterious disappearance of a patient confined in a psychiatric hospital. They are welcomed by doctors who seem to hide something important. A storm forced the 2 police officers to stay a few more days. Very quickly, they will face the demons of the past.
Ramzy: How can we talk about this movie without revealing the plot?
Leonardo Di Caprio: It’s interesting because I never know quite where to start and where to stop. But that’s what Scorsese wanted. Martin wanted an emotional journey for the viewer. A sort of roller coaster where psychological does not even know what to feel at the end of the film. When you look at the trailer, we see that Shutter Island was sold as a psychological thriller in the Hitchcock. This is the case, but Scorsese has focused on painting a canvas. That of human nature. He concentrated mainly on the characters’ emotions. There’s suspense in this film, but it is above all an exploration. This was the case in other films he has made. I think Taxi Driver or Raging Bull, for example. Both films particularly deal with the dark side of humanity and this, of course, puts us sometimes uncomfortable. With Shutter Island, the public expects something but when viewers go to the movies, they will see something completely different.
Ramzy: Tell me about your relationship with Martin Scorsese.
Leonardo Di Caprio: I’ll try to be brief. I know I could talk for hours! Since I’m young, I always wanted to be an actor and meet a teacher and a mentor like him. It is great. He taught me to watch movies with an artistic approach. It is a true film historian. Being around him is guaranteed to have an immense source of information. It has references and know who constantly inspire. Even his own films are a source of inspiration for him. When he embarked on a new project, the night he dreams of several scenes from movies he has seen. Then he will see the film to try to understand why he has dreamed. What is extraordinary is the fact that we are at his side during this process. And believe me, take the train Scorsese on and jump into the water. But you learn so much. I’m so lucky to have already made four films with him. I’d do a thousand more if I could. Scorsese has such knowledge and a look so special on film. I’m never tired.
Ramzy: Your character in the film smokes like a fireman. You still smoke?
Leonardo Di Caprio: No, I quit smoking. I smoke cigars occasionally, but I stopped smoking cigarettes and I am very proud. I must admit that it was very difficult to stop. I read lots of books on the subject. It was really hard because you’re really dependent on the cigarette. I recommend to all those who smoke to quit. It’s been a year and a half now that I stopped. I want the blow by making gaffe that I eat and taking exercise. But hey, never too much! (laughs …) When I do a movie, I’m just me but when I do not run, I let myself go a little.
Ramzy: Are you aware? Titanic is not the biggest success in the history of cinema. What do you feel?
Leonardo Di Caprio: First, I congratulate the team at Avatar. Frankly, I did not watch the figures closely before anyone speaks. I take my hat and I hope they will make more money. For me, Titanic offered me a huge opportunity because my name was attached. I was able to fund other movies with that. But Titanic was his little way. It’s always like that. There will be other films in the future that will beat new records. The film grows before our eyes and it’s great. I really liked Avatar, it was a unique experience as a spectator. I’ve never seen anything like this. James Cameron has created a virtual world in which we are completely absorbed and which we believe is very hard to do. I told them: “Bravo”.
Ramzy: We come back to your biography. Do you remember your first role?
Leonardo Di Caprio: I am not here by accident, I always wanted to be an actor. I was lucky in doing This Boy’s Life with Robert De Niro, and Gilbert Grape with Johnny Depp. These two films allowed me to play great characters. I remember shooting Gilbert Grape. Lasse Halstrom, director, let me really do whatever I wanted, even post a monster mess on set to play a character full of emotions and reacts spontaneously to what is happening. Since I’ve never confined to a particular course of action. With each new film, I become a kid again. While people talk about serious things, have fun. Cinema is our playground Generally, when playing a character, always fit the story or situation. It is our responsibility, especially when interpreting the main character. But not having the pressure of this responsibility, you can not know how it frees me. I can not even describe it. When one commits to a movie, it must carry the audience along. But when you have the chance to do what you want is very different.
Ramzy: You have 35 years. How you see things now?
Leonardo Di Caprio: All is well! I will not go into details of my life but the last two films I made were very difficult. I just turned 35. It is time to take things seriously. I want to make sure that whatever I do, it will be for good reasons. We’ll see where it leads me. I will not go into details because I am not sure myself what I mean! (laughter …). I was very lucky, I could do many things, but regarding my work, I am never satisfied. I think there are always other good films to do and other experiments. I do not know what I’ll do next, but I want to invest myself more in charity. Giving to others fills me with something weird. More and more it gives you a feeling of doing something important for the Earth or for men. It’s something I realized recently. It encourages me to take my decisions and responsibilities that I have vis-à-vis charities. It is in this sense that I will continue.
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