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Seitenblicke (Austria) Scans

December 21st, 2010 • By Stephanie • Gallery

Thanks once again to Katie for the following article and translation from the December 7th issue of Seitenblicke magazine. View the scans in the gallery!

This is the second time you’re in a ‘Narnia’ film. Is there more pressure for success?

Quite the contrary! Now the whole world isn’t looking at me anymore. (Laughs.) When I first played the role of Caspian, the pressure was of course enormous. I was really overwhelmed. Imagine finding yourself on a poster as high as a building on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood – that’s crazy. But I have learned to handle the pressure.

What fascinates you about ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’?

I already devoured the books of C.S. Lewis when I was a child – and to be honest: ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ was my favorite. One can actually feel how the children slowly turn into adults. I could wonderfully identify with this as I was reading it. I also like the adventure story, which is sort of a road movie on a ship.

By now, you have established yourself as an actor. What did your parents think about you wanting to take this career path?

Well, they weren’t exactly thrilled at first. My mother is a psychotherapist and my father a psychologist. And they would have both preferred for me to continue my studies after school. They practically begged me on their knees to continue. But I only enrolled for a degree in English literature and drama at university after they had stopped bugging me. Of course that wasn’t bad. Because in the beginning, I wasn’t really successful as an actor and quite desperate because I didn’t get any parts. Even castings in Los Angeles didn’t work out. It only really started with ‘Narnia’. And since then, my parents also understand that I became an actor.

These rejections must have been quite grueling. Did you ever think about quitting?

No, never. To become an actor was my big dream in which I had invested a lot. Of course it hurts one’s ego to play Russian gangsters or similar nonsense in bad films. I think I have experienced enough frustration and rejection – enough for a whole lifetime. (Laughs.)

Originally, you wanted to become a singer? Why didn’t you continue in that direction?

Don’t remind me! (Laughs.) I was in the boy band Hyrise for about five minutes and quickly noticed that it was not the right thing for me. I really am a big fan of music, I like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, but also Kanye West and the Arctic Monkeys, but after my experiences, I’d rather stick to my current occupation. I think, like many actors, I wanted to be a rock star. Just as many singers dream of an acting career.

Meanwhile, you have been compared with a young Jude Law. Does that flatter you?

Oh my God, of course, but I haven’t nearly achieved what Jude Law has. I am still looking for parts that will define me as an actor, with which I can create my screen persona. Something with substance, something that even brings the innermost out of me. When I was shooting ‘Easy Virtue’ with Jessica Biel, we talked about how hard it is not to be put into a drawer with the label “pretty”.

You also played the title role in ‘Dorian Gray’. Did the issue of eternal youth sensitise you even more?

Absolutely! This is a constant issue in my line of business. The shoot kept leading me to self-doubts every now and then. Of course it’s nice for the ego to be considered attractive. But you always wonder if what you do is real or if you are losing yourself in an illusion. In this respect, my colleague Colin Firth – who I shot two films with – helped me quite a lot and I still ask him for advice. He is like a father to me, he even ends his texts with “love, daddy”. In any case, I believe that one has to carefully sound oneself out. It makes me want to work even harder and get better.

Your good looks got you loads of female fans, though…

A sad fate, isn’t it? (Laughs.) Honestly, it’s flattering, but when it comes to women, I’m rather shy. I was never successful as a big womanizer. I have to hope that women go after me vehemently. I especially like those with an intelligent sense of humour. However: I’m not a wimp! (Laughs.)

Comments

FL said:

“These rejections must have been quite grueling. Did you ever think about quitting?

No, never. To become an actor was my big dream in which I had invested a lot. Of course it hurts one’s ego to play Russian gangsters or similar nonsense in bad films. I think I have experienced enough frustration and rejection – enough for a whole lifetime. (Laughs.)”

^ funny, I just commented on his failed auditions in the other thread and here he is talking about what he feels about it. If I were him, I would’ve considered quitting. He’s such a fighter. I hope he’ll get his next dream role after Caspian!

December 21st, 2010

FL said:

oh and thanks Stephanie and Katie!!! Dunno what we would do without you guys :D

P.S: isn’t it weird that Ben seems to be more popular in non-English speaking countries?

December 21st, 2010

Helaine said:

Yay, new article! Gosh, I love reading his interviews! I’m glad there’re some new questions in this one too! :)

Thanks again, Steph and Katie!! :D

@FL – Yeah, and he definitely knows what he wants and doesn’t let frustration and rejection ruin his dreams. I admire him for that. :)

———-

New fan photo in the gallery! Rachel (badingding) told us on Ben’s IMDb board the story behind this pic, it was quite funny! LOL

December 21st, 2010

Geo said:

Oh, can I please hug him and never let him go? Sometimes I think I can’t love him more, but when I read more and more interviews, my love grows. He’s an example. Really, is beautiful to see that he never let the things destroyin him and his dreams, this is amazing and… really, how can I admire him more? My admiration for him is already bigger than me! Ohmy, really, I’m so happy of calling him my idol, you don’t have notion of it :33

“Your good looks got you loads of female fans, though…”
“A sad fate, isn’t it? (Laughs.)”

Yes, a sad fate. I’m really disappointed about all these girls screaming and having a heart attack just because he’s handsome, hot and everything. Ohmygod, this is so childish. I really want those girls to grow and see the true reasons to love him. His talent, his persistence, his sweet and adorable personality, the way he shows who he really are, this funny and considerate guy. I’m really really disappointed, but… it’s not pessimism, but I think it’ll be worse.

December 21st, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

“Of course it hurts one’s ego to play Russian gangsters or similar nonsense in bad films.” … since when did Ben think BTB was a junk role and bad film? *;o nonsense? hmm… think this part must be a bit lost in translation…

“I have to hope that women go after me vehemently.” didn’t he once say he likes to be the hunter? *XD… maybe he wishes he was but is actually shy…that sounds about right…

Thanks for the article Steph and Katie… and the link from twitter Helaine *;)

ahh… that lucky badingding *XD lol

December 21st, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

Geo: I do see him more than just handsome! I wouldn’t still like him if it was ONLY looks!…but in addition to all those things he can also cause squeeing to take place *XD…

December 21st, 2010

Katie said:

@KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!): I was thinking the same thing about BTB, but to be honest, I wouldn’t put it past the Austrian journalists to just mistranslate what he originally said. As I mentioned once before, I believe they do change his tone quite a bit to make the sentences sound better in German.

December 21st, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

@Katie: …oh! I see! they’re being a little sneaky? *;\

December 21st, 2010

Katie said:

@KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!): Well obviously I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if that was what happened.

December 21st, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

@Katie ok, I gotcha! *;|

*;)

December 21st, 2010

Helaine said:

@Geo – Don’t worry about the screaming girls that are paying attention to Ben only because of his looks and because he’s on the big screen right now. When another good-looking actor appears under the spotlight, I’m sure they will move all their heart-attack to the new victim. But Ben’s true and loyal fans will be still here, following his career and looking forward to his new projects. :)

“since when did Ben think BTB was a junk role and bad film? *;o nonsense? hmm… think this part must be a bit lost in translation…
@bleep! – That’s exactly what I thought! But maybe he wasn’t talking about BTB, maybe it was just a general example, I don’t know…

“didn’t he once say he likes to be the hunter? *XD”
@bleep! – Again, that’s exactly what I thought! XD Maybe he was just joking when he said he prefered being the hunter to being the hunted. LOL

But we always have to consider the fact that many journalists distort some parts of an interview for them to look more appealing… So we never know how authentical his quotes are, unless we see him saying them in video interviews… ;)

December 21st, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

@Helaine:
yup we will 100% believe it when we see it *;)

December 21st, 2010

Helaine said:

@Katie – Yeah, you may be right! But believe me, the Austrian journalists are not the only ones to mistranslate sentences from an interview. They do this a lot here too, and not only in translations. They often do this with their own language too, to make interviews and articles more saleable. I’m not saying that all journalists do this, but there’re several who do. :(

December 21st, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

These “journalists” are actually making Fan Fics! not articles/interviews… ;p

December 21st, 2010

Carlie said:

Oh wow…Thank you for translation, Katie! You’re wonderful. Thank you, Stephanie as well for the fresh news (as always!)!!

BTW, @Helaine I was wondering, could you please give me the link to Rachel’s message if you still have it stored somewhere? For some reason I can’t find the story you told us about. Thank you)

December 21st, 2010

Helaine said:

@Carlie – Yeah, here’s the link to her message:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1602660/board/thread/174785102?d=175381089&p=3#175381089

:)

December 21st, 2010

Rose said:

Ben ¿ has a girlfriend?

December 21st, 2010

Carlie said:

@Helaine — That was quick))) Thank you so much for that!!!

That girl seems quite emotional about the whole thing, as if she saw him for the first time))

That’s so nice that fans share their experience with the rest of the fanbase. It sort of helps us to see through their eyes what Ben is like in real life; and the more you read and hear, the more vivid picture of his personality you get) I only met him when he was extremely tired and did not joke around much, though he was very sweet as he always is. So reading about him being in a good mood makes me want to see that with my own eyes… Lucky girl, what else can I say :))

Once again, Helaine, thank you)

December 21st, 2010

Helaine said:

@bleep! – XD LOL

@Carlie – When I mentioned the story, I was already guessing someone would ask for the link, so I searched it just in case… =P

Yeah, this is really nice! I’ve already read so many stories from fans who have met him, both here on BBF boards/forum and on his IMDb board, and the more I read their reports the more I admire him for being such a sweet down-to-earth guy! I wish I could see him in person too. This is one of my biggest dreams, and one of the most impossible ones. (Here I am complaining again… Never mind, I do that from time to time… LOL)

December 21st, 2010

Shunrei said:

Official site of Killing Bono :D :
http://www.killingbono.co.uk
Release: April 1 2011 :D

December 21st, 2010

Kelly said:

He likes the Arctic Monkeys?!?! Aaaaa, my life is complete now, he’s got taste :D

Thanks for the interview!

December 21st, 2010

Pilar said:

Gracias por publicar la entrevista ya que esa revista no llega a Ecuador ni en broma¡
Me sorprende saber que Ben todavía no se acostumbra a la fama, y que se mantiene sencillo y sensible creo que por eso soy su admiradora¡ y él se ha convertido en mi más dulce tentación¡

December 21st, 2010

Shunrei said:

About Bigga than Ben, I do not understand it very well either, probably it is for the translation, anyhow, there are times that are not known if Ben is joking or not, because I remember that in an interview he said that when they proposed him the role of Easy Virtue and he saw that he would be the husband of Jessica Biel he agreed without thinking it, and in other he say that he did not know who was Jessica Biel and that he searched and saw her movies for see her acting. So…

December 21st, 2010

Danielle said:

Oh my I LOVE this look of his in madrid with the gray outfit ,the hair and the beard how freaking sexy!If i can just grab this face and mmm,mmm..Oh just stop it i mean talented talented i love how talented smart he is….XD

Ben said:“Of course it hurt one’s ego to play Russian gangsters or similar nonsense in bad films.” …
@KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:”..since when did Ben think BTB was a junk role and bad film? *;o nonsense? hmm… think this part must be a bit lost in translation…

”” I know what do you mean cuz i heard him said before how BTB is a great film in the concept and he was so proud with Suzie”the director” to made it…
Beside that sentence sounds racist lol and that is NOT Ben
at all !!
_Your good looks got you loads of female fans, though…
“the way he answered,Awww how cute humble he is,

**Thank you Katie for this and thank you Stephanie**

That why i admire him,such a strong personality, talented as well and so down to earth
I guess it’s right that not the look which make you sexy but the successful and talent,You go Ben we all love you for who you are

December 21st, 2010

Helaine said:

Killing Bono: Neil McCormick’s first impressions

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8177657/Killing-Bono-Neil-McCormicks-first-impresions.html

December 21st, 2010

Katie said:

Does anyone know why Joe Echo is writing the music for the film? Why don’t they just use original Yeah! Yeah! and Shook Up! songs?

December 22nd, 2010

Thai Fan said:

Merry Christmas Prince Ben Barnes.

Merry Christmas BENBARNESFAN.COM & webmaster ; Stephanie.

in Thailand me and a lot of women love&like Ben(Prince Caspian in Narnia3) so much……..he’s very popular&hot.

Ben is very gorgeous&cute.

December 22nd, 2010

Shunrei said:

Thanks Helaine, I would like that it going out, some clips of the movie, as happened with DG and Narnia 3 hehe (lol)

December 22nd, 2010

Nightshade said:

Just to let everyone know that DW and I managed – against all odds – to get together with our daughters in London yesterday and meet Ben together!

I have posted a photo in the “Fan Photos from London” section with a couple of paragraphs – I will do a report in a day or two!

It was so exciting!

December 22nd, 2010

Nightshade said:

Sorry forgot to say to Steph, please feel free to put our photo into the gallery!

December 22nd, 2010

Mari said:

I want you ben :)

December 22nd, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

@Danielle: yeah, I remember him saying that too ;)

@Nightshade & DW: congratulations on a successful “mission” *;)…it sounds exciting! And you are “killing” us with the suspense about your exciting encounters afterwards! WTH! *XD ~hope you get rest & healthy soon!~

@NarnianQueen: LOL! I just visited the IMDB boards and for the first time connecting all the dots of who here is on there! *XD I read your message too! It wasn’t 2 pages long! *XD

@Nicole L. : LOL! Your message was funny! *;D)

~Happy Holidays Everyone!~ *;D

December 23rd, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

@Mari: …well you’re not getting him *;\ …LOL *joking* *XD

December 23rd, 2010

Helaine said:

@bleep! – Are you talking about the Christmas greeting? My message there was short indeed, but I also wrote a 2-page letter. I sent it to DW and she printed it on a lovely paper to give to him. *-*

December 23rd, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

@Helaine: Oh! I guess it was! *XD I get lost on IMDB *;p but now I understand *;)

December 23rd, 2010

Helaine (aka NarnianQueen) said:

=P

@bleep! – I used to get lost there a lot in the beginning too… ;)

Nightshade piqued everyone’s curiosity with that sentence, didn’t she? XD I’m dying here to read her full report! LOL

December 23rd, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

@QueenHelaine *XD lol Nightshade sure knows how to keep us in suspense ((;D)

December 23rd, 2010

KeyKey2DaBenz (aka bleep!) said:

Hey Helaine! I just realized! now we both have aka’s (;D))

December 23rd, 2010

Helaine (aka NarnianQueen) said:

Hahaha cool! ;D

December 23rd, 2010

Ben Barnes Talks Dawn Treader | AslansCountry.com said:

[…] 8) [click here for the translation] Jolie (Germany, Jan 2011) Seitenblicke (Austria, Dec 7) [click here for the translation] Best Movie (Italy, Dec) The Sun (UK, Dec […]

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