New York Times...ABC's Leogate

As long as we believe,
Nothing can come between,
The dreamer and his dream!

Can you describe the part you play in Total Eclipse?

Rimbaud was absolutely unique and he had a tragic life. He made himself a name as a writer when he was still a teenager, still developing his love life. He had this intense relationship to his male mentor Verlaine, that in the end he even kills him. He wanted to try so many things in life, being boundless and unrestrained, like only few dared to.

Would you like to have been born as Rimbaud?

Not in real life, but I had this great opportunity to get into this character on-screen. That is the cool thing about this job, I can gather many different experiences, but I will always stay myself.

Was it hard to kiss a man in the film?

It is not really fun when you’re not gay. But it is a part of my job. I only had to do it once, but in the theaters it is shown a hundred times. I’m proud that I made it, to have overcome this challenge.

How do you usually feel about kissing on-screen?

Of course it is not as nice as in real life, because there are no real feelings. There’s nothing romantic in it. When I usually kiss a girl I feel much more and I have butterflies in my stomach.

Rimbaud took drugs. How do you know how to play a drug addict?

I know the change of mood people, who do hard drugs, go through. And I have learnt a lot from a drug counselor who gave us advice when we did Jim Carroll. As well I grew up in an area where drugs belong to every day life. I watched the whole misery when I was a kid.

Have you tried any drugs yourself?

No, I haven’t made any personal experience in this kind of drugs, and I don’t want to! I will never do drugs nor try a trip for a role.

Do you think that drugs are glorified by films?

It depends on the film. I don’t think that one of my films glorifies drugs. The films I played in are about the darkest side of the drug scene and I hope they act as a deterrent.

What do your parents think about your movies?

They are proud of the roles I’ve chosen. My father advises me with the choice. I like to rely on his judgement and I give him all the scripts to read which are offered me. That has worked out well up to now.

Do you regret putting down the offer for the new Batman-movie?

I am glad that I have distanced myself from the big Hollywood movies so far. You can use your energy for more reasonable things. I can only get better, when I work with sensible projects. I can do the other rubbish later still.

Does it get on your nerves to be famous?

Usually I don’t care about it, but when I have problems, a curious public is a pretty unfair pressure from the outside. You want to be left alone, but they don’t allow you to be.

Are you scared by negative headlines in the newspaper?

I know, I have to watch myself. Things which are normal in every day life, appear to be a scandal with the press. There are some things I’d like to do, if I had my freedom...

Are you sometimes afraid that your success could end?

I realize that in this business everything can be finished over night. In one second you’re at the top and in the next one you’re down to the ground again! No one stays at the top forever. The sooner you accept it, the better.

Are you afraid that your talent could desert you?

No. When I look back and see what I have already overcome, then I realize that my talent is a part of me. And when people say, “He has become bad!” I will try and ignore it. I know, I’m not perfect and there are days I cannot manage anything decent. I’m just a human being.

What are the advantages of your job?

Oh, there are quite a few. The best thing is that I am sent many free things, clothes and stuff. That’s quite practical because I hate shopping. Often I cannot use it, but I always find someone who would like to have it.

Do you like L.A.?

The city has its good sides, too. I don’t totally hate it. Some actors are running it down all the time; how terrible it is in L.A., but that’s not fair. It is true that I like working outside L.A., but that’s because I find new places more exciting.

Do you have a sense of humor?

Oh, yes, that’s got me into quite a few difficult situations. I often don’t realize how far I can go. As a kid I was even sent home, because I was too sarcastic. I imitated a mass murderer and I scared the other children. I was too young to understand that it was in bad taste.

Would you change your physique for a job?

If it’s absolutely necessary. But I would never work out to look better. That’s superficial. If you build your career on your looks, it will be a short career. A new face will appear and steal your show!

If you believe the gossip in the tabloids, you meet another girl every week...

That’s an exaggeration! When I go out, I meet people. When I talk to them, it is claimed that I see them regularly. I hang around with them and I don’t date them! It is true that I think about girls, quite often and long.

Do you feel lonely when you don’t have a girl-friend?

Yes, but you get used to it. I can be on my own easily, that makes me a stronger person.

Do you believe in fate?

I think there is something that helps us eking out our lives. Some people told me crazy things about spiritual sciences; I don’t know what to think... Personally I believe in things that happen around me, even if it’s love!