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German Translations
Thanks to Stefanie K.
Options indicated by / (e.g. nice/good) when I was uncertain how to translate something
Brackets used when also used in original text
Square brackets used for my own comments
Italics used when describing something (e.g. Jim laughs)
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Jim Caviezel on Angel Eyes
<You_Frame_popculture_kino_filme_xtra.htm>
"Actually I did not want to sign up for this film, because there was this sex scene in the script. It was a really hard decision... I kept turning it down, besides I was up for Pearl Harbor. But then Ben Affleck got the part and suddenly the chance to do Angel Eyes came around again.
However, under no circumstances did I want to do the sex scene [as it was in the script]. I was able to convince the director not to show certain parts. Besides, me and Jennifer were actually wearing pants (and she also wore a top)... But after the shot I still had a bad feeling, because a different/wrong message comes across: If you're in love, it's ok! But it is not ok. And I would like people to know that when they go and watch the film.
A lot of factoids exist regarding sexuality, many different interpretations, a lot of ambiguity in the media. But there is just one interpretation - which is: it's God's absolute will/intention.
Besides - and I said that to the director as well - I doubt, if a man like Catch (in Angel Eyes), who was absolutely unable to cope with his past, would have been ready to go that far, to get so intimate with this woman. It would have reminded him of his past way too much.
For me the far more important scene of the film is when he (Catch) goes to the cemetery at the end of the film and says to his wife: There were so many things in my life that felt more important than you, the whole world seemed more important, and now I miss you so much. And I did not listen to you when you said: spend more time ...
I am definitely a different person today than I used to be - even a year ago, when we did the film. My conversion is also processing slowly .. And when Jesus tells us: Be perfect! He means it exactly like that and that means we always have to keep trying. And the more we pray the more we want to keep trying."
Jim Caviezel in a telephone interview with YOU! Austria on 31.10.2001
Jim Caviezel - Man InStyle
He is definitely not one of those Hollywood guys, who perspicuously signal how cool they really are by walking around with a bored look on their face. Jim's blue-green eyes usually look very serious. Neither does he answer each sentence with an easy joke. Instead he frames answers, that sound as if he would really phrase them for the first time. At just 33 years the athletic American already appears to be centered like Richard Gere at the age of 52. The difference is, however, that Jim does not gain his calm from Buddhism, but from his catholic beliefs. A man with principles. Even though in his movies he is seduced by actresses such as Jennifer Lopez (Angel Eyes) or Demi Moore (G.I. Jane), there is just one woman in the private life of the "Count of Montecristo".
Is it true that you met your wife Kerri on a blind date?
Yes, my sister called me, she said: Jim, I have met your future wife! She gave me Kerri's [phone]number. We met. It was love at first sight.
You seem to be driving a hard bargain [Uncertain about translation. Meaning: He approaches very directly]. Whereas you always stress how important abstinence is to you. What exactly do you mean by that?
Premarital sex.
Did you stick to that, before you met Kerri?
No. Back then I was just starting to have success in Hollywood, went out with girls a lot and slept with them. But at some point I thought: If I continue to live like that, my soul will soon be burnt out. That's when I decided to go back to church.
In Los Angeles, where you live, this is not exactly popular/common...
That's right. But I go to mass as often as I can and pray every day.
Do material values have any meaning to you at all?
Don't get me wrong. Faith and material consumption/pleasure don't exclude each other totally.
And what gives you pleasure? Also fashion, labels..?
Yes, for instance I like clothes by Dolce & Gabbana. At the premiere of Angel Eyes I wore a white suit and a purple shirt by Dolce. Besides I like clothes by Ermenegildo Zegna and Giorgio Armani. And I love wearing Levi's 500 jeans.
How does your current "feel-good-outfit" look like?
Khakis combined with an old tweed coat by the Irish label Magee Clothing. And shoes by Tods. I especially like those, I probably own eight pair or so.
And in bed, what do you prefer to wear?
(laughs) Erm, something really normal. Sweatshirt and boxer shorts. [That's how we call those Calvins in Germany].
How would you personally describe your own style?
I don't like clothes that go out of style quickly. I love comfortable and classic clothes, preferably in my favourite colors navy or red. But I also own a few brighter pieces such as this sweater, which I wore at your shooting (picture on the left). I bought it with Kerri when I was filming Montecristo on Malta.
In the movie you are wearing a valuable diamond ring. That isn't your own, is it?
No unfortunately it isn't. Liz Taylor wore this ring in "Cleopatra". It is made of real diamonds and worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Every day when we finished shooting I had to give it back.
Do your wear jewelry yourself?
A Rolex Submariner. And a gold chain with a medal of Pope John Paul II. And you, what is that you are wearing?
A leather band/necklace with a votive picture.
Ah, an Escapulario. If you wear that when you die you will go to heaven.
Interview: Marianne von Waldenfels
Published: InStyle June 2002, German Issue
Eucharistic Jim loves woma(e)n
[The German word game does not really work in English]
Jim pictured with "his" two women: On the left with movie-sweetheart Jennifer Lopez, with whom he is co-starring in the new movie Angel Eyes, on the right with real-life sweetheart and wife Kerri, with whom he was recently spotted three days in a row by YOU! employee Rachael at YOU! USA's hometown church for weekday mass.
Rachael was extremely happy to meet him in person, after her former colleague Caroline had interviewed him for more than two hours about two years ago and had been raving about him ever since. (Read his interview <you_frame_popculture_interview_jimcav.htm>). During teenage years Jim used to be an avid YOU! reader himself. He is still a devout catholic (even though some scenes in his latest movie feign the opposite). According to Rachael "he is praying deeply" and "if you stand in front of him it literally blows you away!"
Article taken from www.youmagazine.com
Coping with trauma "hollywoodaise"
Coming to terms with ones dreams: by the director of the chthonic tear-jerker Message in a Bottle - one might think that leaves us at saying "good grief!" - but you might easily be mistaken by that thought.
Well, at least a little.
Because that whole thing almost comes across a bit ingeniously. The prelude is already striking: filmed from a subjective angle Sharon Pogue (Jennifer Lopez) and her Angel Eyes are the only thing that keep an injured person conscious after a terrible car accident. As if coincidentally caught by camera we are given signs and hints (for instance a toy on the street), which we will need later - which are the key to understanding the connection to past events. Because what follows is a story about the time after - one year later. Catch (Jim Caviezel) shuffles through the streets of Chicago like a quizzical saint, ghostlike, as if he were caught up in a dream that is truly/in fact the aftermath of his traumatic accident. He very much reminds of Jeff Bridges in Peter Weir's Fearless. Then he spots Jennifer Lopez amidst her police friends and it hits him - you wouldn't have any idea how much or why. The situation is already highly declamatory, and now he even saves her live. But somehow things don't become embarrassing. The first small miracle is soon followed by a second bigger one. The two of them fall in love which is not the miracle yet, rather quite simple Hollywood arithmetic - it is the intensity with which they fall. The way they follow each other, the way they agree like cats and dogs is pictured with an almost French lightness and addlebrained self-will and such - consider this - with the whole situation overshadowed by trauma. Because even Jennifer Lopez has her cross to bear, which does not really deserve mentioning here except for the fact that it is superfluous. After the start of their light and bright and also trivial love story the best part of the movie is already over. What follows is what has to follow: coping with trauma hollywoodaise. For most parts this is portrayed enjoyably simple by Jim Caviezel who is properly shaved at long last. Also we approve of Jennifer Lopez' performance. Structurally this movie is all about "cleaning up": everything gets put in its correct spot, the dead stay at the cemetery, the toys go to the boy next door, the apartment gets furnished. Some easiness is missing in the whole process but altogether even that seems to be alright. After all, at least Sharon's reconciliation with her father almost fails.
Taken from www.jump-cut.de
Critique by Ekkehard Knoerer on Luis Mandoki's Angel Eyes
Montecristo - An interview with leading man Jim Caviezel
Young American actor Jim Caviezel played himself into the first actors league with his performance in Terrence Malick's war drama "The thin red line" without ever making negative headlines. The reason for his orderly moral conduct is a profound religiousness. We met the hero of "Frequency" and "Angel Eyes" and the new "Count of Montecristo" in Hamburg [oh no! big sigh! if I had known that!! right where I live!! ] for an interview.
Mr. Caviezel, do you consider acting simply as a good job or is acting your passion?
[It's a] Passion. I belong to those very few people who are given the chance to do a job, that is more than just work. It is the passion to create art. Wonderful art. I hope, it will continue to be like this.
As an actor are you able to discover/explore different sides of your personality?
Of course. Through my work I constantly discover new elements of my personality and my soul, as long as the story is responsible. That does not mean the person I portrait has to be responsible himself. But the story always should be. The people should go home feeling hopeful after having seen my film.
You are a man with very strong beliefs. But Hollywood is not the place where you would expect many Christians.
There are lots of different kinds of people in Hollywood. I didn't choose Hollywood, I didn't choose acting. That was never my goal. I wanted to become a basketball player in the NBA. When I was eighteen or nineteen years old I suddenly felt an overwhelming pain in my chest. My soul was revolting. When I look back today, I know that God told me to become an actor. Until then I had had no idea that I possessed this kind of talent. I used to mimic people and I would make my friends laugh. Acting came real easy to me. It felt much easier than doing sports even though you have to work just as hard in this business.
Do you sometimes have to compromise in this business because of your beliefs?
If I made any sort of compromise then I would [have to] sacrifice what defines me as a human being. Maybe I made a few concessions in the movie "Angel Eyes". There is a love scene between Jennifer Lopez and myself. Originally, this scene was meant to be much more provocating regarding nudity. I absolutely refused that. I insisted, that her breasts would be covered and that we would be wearing pants. This way they could take the camera and film around it. My faith teaches me, that it is alright to have sex, but not before marriage. That's why it was hard for me to give the impression to young people that it would also be okay any other way. I was really worried that the message I delivered was wrong. Maybe I made concessions during this scene which I will be called to account for by God one day.
Montecristo is the story of a normal person, who becomes obsessed with revenge. Do you think, [satisfying] thirst for revenge is a human instinct?
I don't know whether it is human or devilish. But revenge is often an easy way. It is so simple to give in to your wishes, to cheat, to go the wrong way. Wrath, slander and all these things come from revenge. Hatred always leads to even more hatred. It leads to murder that last for generations. We can witness that in Israel or even in my own country. The only way to end all of this is through God. He brings peace and love into this world. He gives us the chance to forgive. Jesus died at the cross and could have taken revenge. He did not deserve to die. He did not do anything wrong, but still they killed him. And he said: [This is the famous biblical quotation, which unfortunately I do not know in English so I just translate word by word] Father forgive them, they do not know what they do. It was very important to me to always show the good [sides] of Montecristo even when he was blinded by revenge that "devoured him alive" [Meaning: it almost killed him and he was fully conscious and felt every inch of that pain].
Do you believe, that today's prisons sometimes create monsters in the first place?
Yes. But we have to look for ways to make people becoming better and better. Some people spend the rest of their lives in prison because they absolutely refused to accept God's love. Then justice has to be served. They have to be kept [away] from society because they might cause damage/pain.
You are a very good looking man. Does this fact sometimes get in the way between yourself and a good character part?
Take away all those things: the superficialness, the skin color. What counts is the character and what he or she aims at. That is what I pay attention to. I would play heroin addicts or Nazis. I would play everything, as long as the story treats that responsibly. I consider my job a service to the public. I serve other people. It would be dangerous in Hollywood if people start taking instead of giving. If you start acting like a man made king you are soon busted/finished. Torn down and rotten. You start having expectations. But life ain't fair, absolutely not. God my let injustice befall us - true - but maybe not in this life. That is why my faith commands me not to get caught up in an easygoing life[style].
Do you believe movies can change people?
They can inspire. They inspired me when I was a boy. Do you know the film "It's a wonderful world?" It changed my life. In times when I felt useless it showed me that my life is worth something, because God loves me. It was a sign for me. Once I was a waiter at a party. There were many famous people attending and we had been ordered not to talk to any of them if we did not want to loose our job. I stuck to that until I spotted James Stewart. That was in 1991. With him I did not care whether I would get fired. I brought him scotch and soda and talked to him. I told him which impact he had on my life. I think it meant something to him. There I was, the waiter, next to a famous Hollywood star and general of the US-Air-Force, who did not hide in Hollywood during war, but fought for his country. A man who never chose the easy way. A man who I admire. I was fortunate to spend some time with him towards the end of his life.
Interview: André Wesche
Jim Caviezel refuses sex
Jennifer Lopez is a gorgeous woman that most men dream of.. The same with Ashley Judd. Most men would not kick her out of bed. Only Jim Caviezel does not want to get intimate with either one of them. In Angel Eyes he refused to do a love scene with J-Lo for which he would have had to undress. Neither did the Catholic want to get naked for sex in front of the camera with Ashley Judd and threatened to leave the studio if the scene for the thriller High Crimes would not be filmed with dressed actors...
17.04.2002
Taken from www.kinonews.de
First comes a sultry bath in the nude
Women are more important than friends in Kevin Reynold's Montecristo. The Count of Montecristo is a classic adventure story. Betrayal can be found in that story, also imprisonment, escape tunnels, pirates, beautiful women and suspenseful fencing. A story where 19th century history is played fast and loose with on the side lines. Napoleon and the fall of Constantinople are blended into the story in a way that they simply fit in. But that does not matter because in our imagination we picture billowing sails and villains getting punished and the value of education is revealed to the reader. For thirteen years Edmond Dantes is innocently kept imprisoned. His martyrdom at the grim Chateau d'If therefore equals an average student's education time. He is not exactly smart because if he was he would not have fallen victim to intrigue and false friends who took away his bride and ruined his future career as a captain. Only the knowledge of fellow prisoner Abbé Faria enables him to take revenge. Dantes takes lessons in math, history, languages, use of weapons and additionally learns about a great treasure. After his escape he changes (in)to a cosmopolitan nobleman and turns that educational book into perversion. The Count of Montecristo does not simply kill his enemies. Instead, he investigates their weaknesses, embarrasses them in public until they are not even suited for sanctioning any more. Then he duels with the two desperate sons just so he can have mercy with their lives. He has long become their patron. Knowledge is power.
Countless times this book has been filmed, not always with a bad result. It is no coincidence that the multi-part TV version was the most successful one, though. The emotional theme of revenge could easily be handled in two hours. But exactly this kind of emotion the novel simply skips. It is all about the finesse of vengeance, the lengthy duration of its execution, the ingenious plan similar to an obliterative finance transaction. Richard Chamberlain was an astoundingly good Montecristo, cold hearted when he was in engrossing pain, compassionate when his revenge hurt innocent people. Clumsy Gerard Depardieu did not sparkle that much. However, the luxury of this big French production left nothing to be desired and also had time for some fine crosstalk that gave such esprit to Alexandre Dumas' eerie romance novel.
The new Montecristo could pass as a children's version with all its cutbacks had Kevin Reynolds done anything else right. The spirit of the novel only moans and groans during dialogs that ridicule the etiquette of post-revolutionary France. Handsome Jim Caviezel bestows that necessary artlessness on his Edmond Dantes, but he totally fails as the dark nobleman Montecristo. Therefor his thirst for revenge is psychologically dissected. He looses his faith in God - as if Dumas' colportage were an agnostic message. With bitterness the prisoner keeps looking at his predecessor's cell slogan. God will give me justice is scribed into the wall.
But regardless of weak dramaturgy and the fact that a lot of masquerade is done with the setting Kevin Reynolds is not the director of Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves for nothing. For every breach with style the audience gets a reward. The Count's smart companion (Luiz Guzman), an ex-pirate, would have been good fun for Kevin Costner as well. The traitor Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce) is the hysterical burlesque of a villain much like the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. Played by Richard Harris the wise Abbé Faria with his snow-white beard wins the audience's sympathy at once. The mildness of age neither fails him after he digs himself into the cell of Edmond due to miscalculation of the direction. Instead of freedom he finds a friend. The book's hidden message of friendship, the idea that the worth of friendship widely outweighs that of revenge sinks however. Edmond's lost love for the beautiful Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk) seems much more important, a sultry bath in the bay of Marseilles is no taboo. And all power gets lost in lengthy swordplay. A betrayal, that avenges itself.
Montecristo (The Count of Monte Cristo) GB/USA 2001. Direction: Kevin Reynolds;
131 Minutes. Color.
Berliner Zeitung
Date: 08.05.2002
Ressort: BerlinBerlin
Author: Philipp Bühler
Jesus Christ's Superstar
Who gets appointed as an actor by God himself? And who voluntarily keeps his pants on in bed with Jennifer Lopez? The man's name is Jim Caviezel. He is considered the last saint of Hollywood and on top of that he is devilishly handsome.
In private life he is on his best behaviour, but on screen Jim Caviezel knows no mercy. In 1998 the devout catholic had his breakthrough in Terrence Malick's war epic "The Thin Red Line" followed by appearances in action movies such as "The Rock" and "G.I. Jane" or most recently as the "Count of Montecristo", neither of them suggesting Christian charity. In the movie "High Crimes" the 33 year old plays a dubious former elite soldier, who is accused pf [having been involved in] a massacre in El Salvador. His lawyer wife (Ashley Judd) has to unearth the truth concerning these accusations. Elisa Leonelli met the actor in Los Angeles.
In "High Crimes" you can be seen in a steamy love scene with Ashley Judd. How does that comply with your moral beliefs?
Actually, the scene was meant to a lot more erotic. But as you can see, I kept my pants on. When it comes to sex on screen I would never disavow my principles/deviate from my principles. In "Angel Eyes" Jennifer Lopez wore her shirt for the love scene and I wore my pants. The only naked breasts that will ever touch my chest/body are those of my wife. In the respective scene in "High Crimes" I want to conceive a child. However, at first I did not want to do that scene, since I am married to someone else in real life and teenage viewers might draw a false conclusion. In my faith sexual abstinence before marriage is taken very seriously. Some people find that ridiculous, but I tried to abide [by] that.
As a devout catholic why do you work in an industry that is famous for its liberality/promiscuity?
I was afflicted with that decision for about one and a half year. When I saw "Ghost" all of a sudden a thought came to my mind: God, I think you want me to become an actor and I don't know why. Why me of all people? My father just said: You don't want to get into that crap. And even though I tried to get that idea out of my head I had to think about it constantly. Eventually I told myself: Either I accept this calling or God chooses someone else.
And what finally settled the issue?
A broken foot. I was an avid basketball player in College and wanted to make it into the NBA. After the injury [had happened] I almost cursed God thinking: I have tried so hard for so long. Why are you doing this to me? Why should I still go to church? But with hindsight it was a lucky foreordination that eventually got me to take up acting.
Are there any film fans in your family?
We are more passionate about playing basketball. My father used to play at the University of Los Angeles, now he is a chiropractor. I have one brother and three sisters. The name Caviezel is (Reto)Roman [I have no idea what that means], my grandparents stem from Switzerland. I inherited my working ethos from them. My mother is Irish [through and through] up to the roots of her red hair. [I know this probably does not make much sense]. I grew up in the area around Mount Vernon in Washington state, where many Dutch emigrants have settled. I used to work there on a strawberry plantation and we grew tulips [I don't know if I can believe this really. This sounds so much like a cliché]. It was typically small town.
Which values did your parents teach you?
I was raised as a catholic. And even when I was not walking down the right path I still went to mass. My faith helps me to master life and to get along perfectly with my parents, relatives and friends. I love them through God.
Do you want to have children?
Even though my wife Kerri and I have been married for six years now, it has not happened yet. But we definitely want to have many children. If destiny/fate demands it even through adoption.
How did you meet your wife?
I often imagine leading my life like the knights of King Arthus' Round Table - filled with justice and God-given conviction. Once, when I was riding my horse I saw a beautiful virgin. I asked her if she would like to ride into the sunset with me - without hesitating for a second - and we have been on our journey together ever since. My wife is an English teacher and a much better person than I am. She is the light of my life.
Are you not worried that one day you might get weak because of an attractive co-star?
No, I will always be faithful to my wife. I don't ever want to keep anything secret from her.
How do you and your wife spend your free time together?
We both used to play basketball. That's why we do sports together quite a lot, for instance swimming, biking, skiing or hiking. We love to read and going to the movies or we go to see a show. And every day we attend church service/mass, because faith comes in the first place for us.
Are you supporting any charity organisations?
You can only change things through prayers. War will/can only be stopped through prayers, as they alone touch the hearts and melt the ice mantle of the soul. We have to focus on God and eternity not on transience [meaning: something that is perishable, that does not last]. Look, the clothes I am wearing will decompose by and by/over the years. After death we will be food for worms. If we want to live eternally, we have to follow the lessons of God's son. My mission is to tell the truth, without imposing it/forcing it on someone. The duty of artists like myself is to speak out, because we can bring forward/improve our culture - preferably in[to] a direction that God favours.
How does your wish for charity comply with the fact that the United States are presently at war?
Regarding this question I agree with the Pope: We have a right to defend ourselves. A cop would also chase a serial killer in order to save lives. War is usually the last means after preceding lies and deceit.
What hopes do you have for the future?
Most of all I would love to talk to Jesus about my weaknesses and about forgiveness. Shortly, I want to become a better person. Many human impulses/emotions appear to be completely normal to us, but often they are totally wrong. If someone did something bad to me, I would most like to use my fists or to tell them off. But my mentor Terrence Malick, the director of "The Thin Red Line", taught me that it's better to behave kindly, responsibly and respectfully towards other people.
Which purpose does acting serve in the heavenly plan?
[Here comes another biblical quote which I cannot translate] Giving is [a more blessedly act] than taking! I give people the opportunity to emphasize with familiar feelings and experiences at the movies. But I do not want to waste/steal their time. With my help all those hard working or worried people can find distraction by watching an adventurous or fantastic story. That is much healthier than other ways of escape from every day life.
Interview: Elisa Leonelli
Marie Claire German Issue August 2002
Photo by Jack Pierson /A+C Anthology [Jim in Pool]
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