TV Spielfilm
translated by myself
TV Movie: What tips had Susanna
Kaysen (Girl, Interrupted is based on real events in her life) gave you?
Winona Ryder: We had mailed us quite
often, before I met her in person. She wrote very open-minded and
honest about her experiences. Since J.D. Salinger (Catcher in the Rye)
I've never read a story that honest.
TVM: How was it to meet Susanna in
person?
WR: It was marvelous since I've never
met anyone like her before in my whole life. I was quite reliefed that
she was quite supportive about our work. After six years developing the
movie this was really monumental.
TVM: Did you have anything in common
with her?
WR: I wouldn't dare to compare myself
with her as she is a real hero for me. If I would compare myself with
her it would be quite arrogant - as much as I wish to be a little bit
like her. She's very honest and intelligent while beeing funny and
witty at the same time.
TVM: The original title "Girl,
Interrupted" could be interpreted in different ways. Is it the fact
that Susanna's teenage years were interrupted by all these events?
WR: I love the title. It's based on
the painting "Girl, Interrupted at her Music" by Vermeer. In the novel
Susanna is watching the painting in a museum and the girl in the
painting is looking like she wants to run away. And Susanna comes to
the conclusion that she wants to run away from her life. Yes, her life
is interrupted and she is transported to a place were she doesn't
belong. Just think of it: She has talked 20 minutes to a psychiatrist
and is then rushed into a mental institution. It's simply ridiculous!
TVM: What does this say about
susanna's parent - child relationship?
WR: The story plays in the america of
the 60s. What happened to Susanna happened to many girls at the time.
If they were rebelious or had arguments with their parents they got
theraphy and meds. Today no one is allowed to be locked away for more
then 21 days - no matter what the mental condition of her or him is.
TVM: Do you hope that this movie will
start a new debate over mental ilnesses?
WR: I really hope that poeple will
talk about it. It's terrible when an illness is stigmatized. I have
talked freely about the problems I had when I was 19, 20 years old and
I still struggle with some of them. I don't believe anyone who's
stating he or she never had such problems. Who's living in this worlds
with wars, famine, deseases and crime can't be completely normal. It
would be crazy to say the world is normal! And therefore it is normal
to feel confused and having the impression of not belonging to this
world. for young poeple - for all poeple - it's important to have
someone to talk to. If the movie would've been aired when I was young
I'd be reliefed.
TVM: You've talked quite openly about
your problems. Did this movie helped in understanding why you got out
of yout troubles so well?
WR: I've re-visited my state-of-mind
during that time. This going back was very difficult. I've visited dark
spots in my past that I sealed up and never wanted to visit again. I
was full of fears and depressions. I've gone back and re-lived
everything.
TVM: Why was it so important for you
to re-visit this places?
WR: I had to do it to find the mood
for this movie and it was terrible. I was terrified. But finally I
faced the monster and defeated it.
TVM: At the time you were going
through the divorce with Johnny Depp. Was this a reason?
WR: Breaking-up with your first love
is always a hard time, and Johnny was my first love. It's still
difficult for me to talk about it.
TVM: Did you get more careful after
the break-up?
WR: You could ask this question
anyone. Of course you'll be more careful the second time. Jonny and I
are friends now, as I am friends to everyone I had an relationship
with. I'm very happy about it - I never had a really bad experience.
TVM: Are you happier today?
WR: Yes! Since I've made all the
publicity for this movie the poeple may think that I'm a depressed
soul. I had a hard time when I was 19 but I'm not crazy. Every teenager
has a hard time every now and then.
TVM: Many poeple wonder about your
openness. Is it just publicity for the movie?
WR: This has nothing to do with it.
I've been asked about my relationship and I've answered honestly. I
just talked about real life! There're enough personal topics I would
never talk about.
TVM: Back to the movie: Is an mental
institution not there for helping poeple? Is there a messege supporting
this?
WR: As I read the book it was like
something grabbed my throat. No ultra-feminist message but rather that
there're not always quick answers to big questions. You can't went into
a hospital ordering a pill that makes everything well. You've got to
reach inside and solve it for yourself. This is a hard lesson in a
world were we prefer instant solutions. Soon we will loose face-to-face
contact. We will only talk to the internet. We will loose human contact!
TVM: What do you feel about the
future?
WR: I'm scared about this kind of
future. Therefore it is important for me to do movies were poeple are
really talking to each other.
TVM: In the movie Susanna wrote to
protect her frame of mind. How do you protect yours?
WR: I really can relate to that. I
write a diary - every night. An I've an wonderful family that keeps me
down on earth.
TVM: With "Heathers" you become the
role model of a generation. Do you feel any pressure because of this?
WR: I felt a little weird about it.
Some roles simply hit the nerve of my generation. There were not many
movies that really spoke to kids without insulting them. Suddenly there
was a movie containing wit and intelligence. I had the previlege to do
such movies.