Fresh Air, March 20, 2014
Wes Anderson, filmmaker, is interview about ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’
Terri Gross: interviewer
David Bianculli fills in for Terri Gross
Terri Gross in an amazing interviewer. She is intuitive, knowledgable and
amiable. She listens attentively. She asks revelent questions. It is a graceful dance
between her and her subject. Her grace and style sets her apart.
Gross’s interview of Wes Anderson explores in-depth the ideas behind ‘Grand
Budapest Hotel.’ She is extremely competent and well-prepared. She understands the
film and asks Anderson intelligent questions. She asks for elaboration and finds that
Anderson is inspired from paintings by Casper David Friedrich. In another example,
Gross asks ‘why’ as to the practice of actors putting on costumes in the hotel. She
further draws Anderson’s ideas - that having the actors arriving in costume is quicker.
The rapport of Gross and Anderson provides an interesting account of the film,
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel.’ The questions and replies are constantly engaging. Gross
possesses an interviewing style to emulate.
Investigating WWII filmmakers further, Gross talks with Mark Harris, author,
about his book, ‘Five Came Back.’ This compelling book deals with the relationship of
Hollywood and WWII. Harris discusses directors Frank Capra, John Ford, and George
Stevens. Harris tells of Capra’s use of propaganda, Ford’s emphasis of keeping
realism in his films, and Stevens’s recording of concentration camp horrors. The
realities that these filmmakers faced were cruel. Gross keeps her inquiries respectful in
dealing with such a somber subject.
Gross’s interviewing style remains consistent. She manages to receive solid
replies in response to her questioning. Gross always invokes an evocative tale. She
remains untouched in grace and style.
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