Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg collaborate again after ‘A Dangerous Method’ in 2011. Actor and director have passed through the Cannes Festival, where they present their new joint project: ‘Crimes of the future’. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor commented on his experience with the director as well as certain similarities between one of his most iconic films and one of last year’s most important horror films.
Crashes vs Titanium
Speaking about Cronenberg, with whom he met for the first time in 2005, in ‘A history of violence’, Mortensen was asked if he thought that ‘Crimes of the future’ was going to have a similar response as the controversial last winner of the Palm of Gold at Cannes: ‘Titane’ by Julia Ducournau (of which ‘Crash’ is one of the main references, in fact).
“Could be. But it was ‘Crash’ that caused such a scandal many years before (…) In my opinion, and no offense to the director of ‘Titane’, ‘Crash’ is way over the top of that movie because it is not left alone to cause a superficial impact or show unconventional images. There’s a story underneath all of that and some real character exploration. in ‘Crash’ much more than in ‘Titane’in my opinion”.
The actor extends his opinion to the new Cronenberg: “In both ‘Crimes of the future’ and ‘Crash’ you know the characters, they are fully realized and they have motivations. They are a mystery but real at the same time. It is not a long video clip“.
As to whether Cronenberg’s new film will be well received at the festival, Mortensen says: “It’s impossible to guess, Cannes can be unpredictable.(Cronenberg) has been here many times but I don’t think he has been given the recognition he deserves. Though if people liked ‘Titane’ and enjoyed the challenges it posed, I don’t see why she wouldn’t be just as or even more interested in this movie.”
‘Crimes of the future’ does not yet have a release date in Spain, although it will surely be shown throughout 2022.