Interview with Jasna Kohoutova, the lead actress of Chimères by Olivier Beguin. Jasna tells us in detail about the role she played and for which she was awarded “Best Actress,” but most importantly she talks about her very strong character.
L: Hi Jasna, tell us something about yourself.
J: About me? Well, I am a strange creature... I navigate paradoxical zones, I divide my life between filmmaking and my work as a psychologist, I see and have seen incredible things. I am actually a curious woman and a lover of life.
L: You are known for the role of Livia in Chimères. This vampire movie has a more realistic approach with vampirism that is focused on a slow and painful mutation. What do you think of this film?
J: I think our film follows the narrative of a true and authentic love story that turns to point to terrifying events. For me, this film poses a question about the love relationship that leads us to ask to what extent we are ready to follow it. A human film, which therefore, from its fantastical side, challenges humanity--or more simply challenges a sentimental question.
We live in a consumerist society where the free market affects even love stories. Any difficulty stops us, so we change partners as we do shampoo at the supermarket. The film is also about an irreplaceable love, ready to defy reality (as difficult as it can be), even to the point of death. Romance in horror cinema? Eh yes, quite a challenge!
L: What do you like about your character?
J: Livia is not an ordinary woman. She has had a life that has not been easy (although we do not see it in the film) and she is a “warrior.” What I like about her is her willingness to challenge the nature of women, lovers who are sometimes submissive and unable to fight back. She is resolute, fighting for the couple by putting aside her own suffering. At all times she tries to keep hope alive and make life possible, despite the difficulties. But she is also the woman who has her feet firmly on the ground and does not sacrifice herself for the couple. She simply loves her man and together they are trying to find a way to be together.
L: Is it the most challenging role you've played?
J: Yes, absolutely... In addition to the emotional states I had to play, the role of the “tough guy” based on physicality challenged me as an actress. How to demonstrate the state of mind during the stunts? Stunts by the way repeated in multiple sequences? For this I thank Olivier because he is an incredible director.
My character is subject to changing, but always deep emotions... this is also thanks to the director, whom I thank again for giving me such a demanding role.
Not to mention physical training... I always prided myself on being in great physical shape with sports... oh, I didn't know what boxing meant. I used to come home shaking, unable to hold a glass in my hands! Then everything changed, I gained four pounds of muscle in three months, I wasn't shaking anymore and I was ready to do my own stunts. So for me it was an extraordinary experience as an actress, an experience that combines the subtle side of the role by marrying it with the physical side.
L: You won several “Best Actress” awards for your performance in Chimères (at the 14th Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre Film Festival, the Horrorant Fright Nights in Athens...). Tell us about your experience.
J: I'm honored -- for me, as an actress, it's an incredible recognition. I was aware of the value of the film but I didn't expect this. Thank you... All my efforts make sense... Sh** (sorry for the word), the six months of box training and working with stuntmen... Thank you all...
I think winning the Best Actress award involves an incredible team and a wonderful partner (Yannick Rosset). Without them I could never have done it.
L: How difficult were the sequences where you fight? Can you tell us about those beautiful fight scenes?
J: It was a challenge-we shot at night and everyone was exhausted after a while. It's like doing stunt scenes in a skatepark while maintaining a certain mood. I don't want to spoil the movie, so I'm just saying that with some of the equipment it's hard to be accurate ... so I was more afraid of hurting others than myself. However, I ended up with several bruises on my body also because it is obvious that minor accidents can occur during filming. For example, there was a collision with the camera... the next morning I complained that I couldn't wash the fake blood out of my hair but then I was told that it was my blood....
L: What was it like working with Olivier Beguin?
J: Olivier is a very demanding director and knows what he wants from his actors. He always gave precise directions by listening to us and pushing us to give incredible performances. I really enjoyed working with him and I still thank him for giving me such a varied and challenging role. After the shoot I said to him, “Oli, what role do you want me to play after this one?” Getting to know him was wonderful, for an extraordinary collaboration born of an uncommon complicity. I hope to work with him again. I hope so!
L: What was it like working with Yannick Rosset?
J: Yannick is an excellent actor and an irreplaceable partner. We talked a lot together to build a believable story about the couple in our film and that brought us very close. So I knew that at any time I could count on him. Also, Yannick is very relaxed during filming and I can sometimes “pout” and be very serious. Then the laughter that arose during the shoot did me an enormous amount of good. Thank you, partner!
L: How do you feel about vampires? What are your favorite vampire movies?
J: Vampires have always fascinated me both as creatures and because of their relationship with blood. This may perhaps sound strange, but a psychoanalyst I work with told me about a form of perversion in exchanging blood. But one thing is certain: blood binds us to life, and taking it or donating it is no small thing.
This effectively creates a link between life and death, or more specifically the relationship with death that is omnipresent in vampirism. Vampires are immortal or if we look at it from another point of view, dying anytime they are looking for blood (this totally relates back to Chimères). What a hell!
L: The best vampire movie?
J: Definitely “Let the Right One In.”.
L: What is your next project? What are your future projects?
J: In the spring I acted in two short films that will be released this year. Nothing, once you “taste” something for a long time (hahaha this is like blood for vampires), you feel like continuing to do it. Maybe a part in Olivier's next film? Fingers crossed...
L: Do you have a specific role you'd like to play someday?
J: An evil character in a historical film, with incredible costumes. And definitely a tough girl in a western or a mafia-centric story.
L: Leave a message to the DV community!
J: I am proud to have done this interview and thank those who read it! I love you, supporters of fantasy cinema, a genre that makes life better. Long live fantasy!
L: And I am proud to have interviewed you, Jasna. Thank you!
