TIFF 2009 Interview: Jesper Ganslandt (The Ape)

After having been to the public screening (see video here), later in the festival, I would have a long sit down with the director behind The Ape (Apan). What I thoroughly enjoyed about the film, is how it never once cares about supplying backstory, it makes the case that this is utterly unimportant. Jesper Ganslandt is clear about what interests him, the approach he wanted to use in terms of the style of the film and how he was going to get the performance he wanted from actor Olle Sarri – who signed on without nothing anything about the storyline.

Not knowing Ganslandt’s background, I first wanted to establish his style in terms of the other films in his filmography, and I was curious to know about his influences and what he thought about being a part of a new breed of Swedish filmmakers who are indeed pushing the limits. I also discuss certain scenes, but keep those question brief as I didn’t want to explore narrative elements as it would give away what I think viewers need to not know before going in. This is edgy material from a filmmaker I’ll definitely be watching out for in the future.