jessica harper interview

I recently contacted Jessica and asked her if she would answer some questions in a short 'interview' about SUSPIRIA. She was kind enough to agree and here is what she said.

Grazie Jessica.
May 2001

How did you come to play the role of Susy in SUSPIRIA?
Dario had liked me in Brian De Palma's "Phantom of the Paradise" so he offered me the role without an audition.

Were you familiar with any of Argento's work beforehand?
No, but I looked at a couple of his movies after he made the offer.

How did you find working on a film where the primary on set language was not English?
I studied Italian before I went there, and picked up a lot more very quickly--it was okay....

Did your experience at the Sarah Lawrence College and appearance in 'Hair' on Broadway help with a role that required dance sequences?
I'd studied dance since I was a child, so that helped....the other experience you mention had minimal impact on my performance...

Did you get a sense of what a ground breaking horror film you were making?
I had no idea!

Is it true that Dario had the Goblin music played on the set?
I have very fond memories of shooting the movie, although I can't say I remember whether or not we heard Goblin music while shooting...

As a lot of actors don't like watching themselves, have you actually seen SUSPIRIA?
I've seen it--I don't mind seeing my work, although it always surprises me to see what my behaviour looks like objectively.

You have worked with such renown directors as Brian De Palma and Woody Allen. In your opinion, how does Argento's direction compare?
He has the same brilliant auteur's vision--sure, down to the last detail, of what he wants and how to get it.

Co writer, Daria Nicolodi, whose Grandmother inspired the story, originally wrote the part of Suzy for herself. Did you meet her at all?
Only briefly

Have you had any involvement in the forthcoming DVD from Anchor Bay?
Yes, I did an interview for the DVD.

Do you have good memories of working on the film?
I really enjoyed it. I love the Italians and how they work and their expertise, and I loved living in the country for 4 months.

Did you keep any memorabilia from the set? The crystal dagger that Suzy killed Helena Markos with would have made a nice souvenir.
Regrettably, I have no souvenirs....

What are you doing at the moment?
I'm doing an interesting role in Spielberg's new movie, "Minority Report," and writing children's books ( a new one called "Nora's Room" has just been published by HarperCollins) and children's music (My 6th CD is coming out in late August, called "Inside Out".)

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