Rupert Sanders feature directing debut, Snow White and the Huntsman, is a visual tour de force.
We spoke to the director the day after its world premiere…
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Is that how you view the film?
Id describe it more as an emotional blockbuster.
We tried to do something different in the format of the blockbuster.
A big, fun, summer action movie about death and loss maybe?
Yeah, well its all about loss really.
And you packaged that for what audience?
Anyone who wants to see it really.
We chose Kristen more for her other body of work thanTwilight.
To me I think it really is 12 up to whatever.
Probably the easiest comparison for people to grasp at will beThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy.
Is that something youre happy forHuntsmanto be compared with?
I think theyre incredible films and theres definitely overlap.
Were very different directors though, with very different visions of our worlds.
Are there elements of older childrens fantasy films inHuntsmanwould you say?
I tried to educate myself.
Can you tell us what you came close to?
There were a few…
I wasnt looking necessarily for a big film, I was looking for something that excited me.
Is that the comic book series [by Charles Burns]?
Its on my website.
Is it still a possibility now?
I dont know, I think its probably gone to someone else now.
You mentioned other directors there, who would you position yourself amongst?
Ironically, were all making very British movies.
What were the key visual ideas from it that made it into the final cut?
That had the low-tech guerrilla version of what you see in the trailers now.
So a lot of what you see in the film, those key ideas were in that.
Am I right that the blood on the snow you shot was actually your blood?
I wonder how many other directors have literally given blood for their films…
I gave a lot more sweat and tears, the blood was just a small part of it!
What else survived from the first day you saw the script to the film that was screened last night?
What do you mean tonally, was it more comic?
Wow, Im just trying to imagine that next to the film youve made, its quite different?
Yeah [laughs].
Do you relish the thought of terrifying kids with this film?
There were a lot of kids there last night who didnt seem as though they were shaking afterwards.
Kids can deal with that, we can try and blanket them too much from the stuff.
You filmed 90% in physical locations as opposed to green screen, what was your thinking behind that?
I just dont think you get very good performances that way either.
Give us your take on Kristens character.
Do you see her as a Christian hero?
Theres definitely a spiritual side, Id say.
Rupert Sanders, thank you very much!
Snow White and the Huntsman comes out on the 30th of May.
