Live Chat - April 1, 2000

Moderator
Hello everybody! Rutger just entered the room. Welcome Rutger! The keyboard is all yours!

Rutger
First of all, welcome to everybody. I know my next Newsletter is way overdue. I promise it's coming soon. Second, it has taken me a year to finally get my first chat. Time flies. Let's go.

Question
Mr Hauer, what part of filming the "Tenth Kingdom" did you enjoy the most?

Rutger
I had a lot of off-time and travelled through Luxembourg, Austria, Alsace and Great Britain. This was also very enjoyable. Then when I had to go to work I was as fresh as a daisy and very "up".

Question
Hi Rutger! You are great! A curiosity - which is the first thing or things which attract you in a woman?

Rutger
As you see I make mistakes. I'm nervous and excited! Duh! April Fool's Day. What fun to get started here! What attracts me in a woman. Gee. Toe-nails. Pumped lips and other body parts. Smile. Grin. Eyes. Etc. etc.

Question
Thank you so much for having this chat! Can you tell us what has become of your project "Raindogs"?

Rutger
The thing about projects which are close at heart is that it can take an astounding amount of time to get real. The script I called "Raindogs" which I adapted from a play and which I was hoping to direct was optioned by me for 12 years and I lost the rights. So it is dead for now. I don't see much future for it because the writer of the play is very stoical about it.

Question
Rutger, what actors and directors would you like to work with at this stage in your career?

Rutger
Really complicated to answer. Anybody good. Young or old. Binoche is one of my favourites, but many more. Sorry for the short answer.

Question
Will there be a "Split Second" sequel?

Rutger
I haven't heard. I don't think so. As far as "The Hitcher II" is concerned, it is possible. It is being written as we speak but that could be good or bad. So still not very close.

Question
Greetings Mr Hauer! What is your favourite Ingmar Bergman film?

Rutger
"Wild Strawberries", "The Seventh Seal", "The Long Silence", "The Virgin Spring" - to name a few.

Question
Do you write much poetry these days?

Rutger
Not enough. Never enough. Timetimetime.

Question
Hello Mr Hauer! Have you ever written an autobiography, or do you plan on writing one?

Rutger
I am slowly getting on with it but it will be available first of all on the Website. I wish I had more lives than the cat!

Question
What type of role would you like to play in the future?

Rutger
Funny stuff. Lovely stuff. Poetic stuff. Not stuffstuff, that's for sure!

Question
You were SUPERB in "The Legend of the Holy Drinker"! Will it ever be more widly available?

Rutger
The availability will be better shortly. I will open a Videoclub on this Site where you can "borrow" copies of any of my films. I have no control over what happens to my work in the bigger market and the way films are bought and released seems to be changing rapidly. There are many more films made - good, bad & ugly - than can be possibly released, so a bunch of them get released in other ways and it also differs from country to country.

Question
Are you a romantic?

Rutger
More romantic than hell...

Question
How much of you is there in Count Albrecht ("Simon Magus")?

Rutger
Count Albrecht belongs for a big part to me. The Captain in "Hostile Waters", Roy Batty of course. "Salute of the Jugger". "Omega Doom". "The Hitcher".

Question
Will "Simon Magus" come to the US? We would really like to see it.

Rutger
There are about three companies in the US who buy more interesting films. That's it. They buy maybe 100 each. They are offered ten times as many. So there's part of the squeeze. It's horrible for all filmmakers who can only hope they get a chance. The chance is one to ten.

Question
How many languages can you speak?

Rutger
English / French / Dutch / German / un poco d'italiano...

Question
What hobbies or interests have you away from work?

Rutger
I have just discovered ocean kayaking and I'm practicing my strokes in Marina del Rey a couple of mornings a week. It's the season for whales and they are passing close by on their way to Baja. I'm dying to get eye to eye. I've done it before. I'm dying to connect.

Question
Has there been any talk about the "Blade Runner" sequel?

Rutger
There has been talk and hype and of course willingness enough. A lot has to do with the legal rights to use the name. I'm sure there are scripts floating around. But it's difficult. "Blade Runner" is such a brilliant piece. I don't think there will be a #2.

Question
Ever thought about a tour of the US on motorcycles - I'll provide the bikes!

Rutger
I just found out yesterday that I can rent a Gold Wing here. I sold the one I owned in LA because people drive weirder every day. I took a trip to Big Sur twice on the highway. Most uttermost beauty!

Question
Hello Rutger! What do you consider your greatest achievement in life?

Rutger
Make a person happy, if I can.

Question
Rutger, I noticed you have a tendency in crushing your fingers. You like to work with your hands, don't you? Thanks!

Rutger
The last month or so I have been filled with heavy maintenance work. As I fell down the stairs one of the last few days I tore a ligament on my left hand. The finger is now a little more crooked. I went to the dentist couch several times. All in all it was slightly relaxing but not very productive.

Question
Rutger, what new projects are you working on?

Rutger
I'm taking two years to develop a Website for a film-school. It would consist of moving documentaires about all aspects of the craft and it would be done with other worldwide professionals. It takes a lot of work. I'm also starting to teach hands-on classes here and there. Trying to build relationships with schools.

Question
You have made many people here happy today! What makes you happiest in life?

Rutger
Nature. Flowers growing. Birds. Wind. Sails. Nature.

Question
How do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a part?

Rutger
My approach to acting is that you agree with your audience to pretend. They know. I use the material. The script. The set. The rain. The colleagues. To get to a believable pretense. That's about it. It's about play. It is never heavy although the role might be.

Question
What type of music do you listen to, any favourite artists?

Rutger
I lost touch after the Rap took over. Bach & Rock&Roll & Blues & Sketches from Spain.

Question
Why did you decide to do this Chat? & thanks!

Rutger
All things happening here are my giving something back to you. It's my gift. It's the truth instead of some hype for a change. It's very helpful to see how you relate to whom you think I am and it also informs you about what I really did or do. I hate publicity mostly because you always have to dress in their minds, their cute, happy-go-lucky outfits. It's a generalization still, but it's amazing how much schlack pretends to be in journalism.

Question
What do you like most about living in LA?

Rutger
Its self-serving climate. There's only so much I can take.

Question
If you could start your life again would you choose a different path?

Rutger
I think this is it. One life. Better do it now.

Question
Rutger, have you ever been invited to the Academy Awards and are you interested in that Hollywood hype?

Rutger
I presented an award once. Awards are great. What better excuse to have a party? I think the Academy is a party that got a bit out of hand!

Question
Have you read "Casca - Eternal Mercenary" by Barry Sadler? Great series for a movie. What do you like to read?

Rutger
I haven't read much lately. Sorry. Raymond Carver.

Question
What does Rutger want to do in 5 years, or 10?

Rutger
Improve/Extend/Remove/Get Sane.

Question
Do we really get sane? That's no fun. Remove what? Irritants?

Rutger
I guess sanity is a piece of Nirvanawhenwhatwhere, but I find it a good course to navigate on. Life is one hell of a fight to liberate oneself and if we're lucky it takes a long time.

Question
Are you a cat person? Or do you like dogs better? Do you have any pets?

Rutger
One of my dreams would be to go to doghell and take them all to Heaven. The dogs & I have the same way of sniffing things out and forget scratching.

Question
Rutger, who do you admire most in the past or present?

Rutger
Juliette Binoche.

Question
Do you ever get involved in politics or do you find them mostly a waste of time?

Rutger
I have to run out for a meeting in 4 minutes. I don't get involved in politics. It is beyond me. I don't feel I have the skills or knowledge to be of use. I need to create space and time for the things - all those moments and things - I still want to do.

Question
Have you ever thought about doing any "kid"'s movies? My daughter is a big fan of yours (me too of course).

Rutger
It's amazing how people are different in their likes and dislikes. All the work I do, I do because I think it has potential for an audience. Although I've been doing this for 30 years I still feel I'm just starting -and I'm certainly not done. Kidsfilms. Dogsfilms. Jurassicparksfilms. It just depends on faith and me.

Question
Think you'll do another chat?

Rutger
YYYYYYYYYYeSSSSSSSSSS. Bye.

Question
Rutger, would love to see you in a romantic role, any future plans?

Rutger
I'll keep you posted. May 1 is my next chatroom or around that time. Hasta la vista!

Moderator
Thank you Rutger! And thanks to all the people taking part in this chat. See you next time here. For those who could not take part in it now, next time you'll have the chance for sure! Bye!

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