Q: In "Signs" it concerns grain
circles that are made by extraterrestrial. Do you believe in such a thing?
JP: Only on those that were made by our – by the way very earthly crew - for
the film itself. Otherwise not at all, but these phenomena are still very
interesting. Did you know that these circles have become documented for more
than five centuries in almost 50 countries around the globe? And that annually
up to 300 new circles emerge? You cannot explain that in a rational way.
Q: In the movie you and Mel Gibson are
siblings. How does it feel to be Mel Gibson's brother?
JP: Outstanding. Mel is a good actor and has a crazy personality. He made a lot
of jokes and tricks. And he rescues me in "Signs" from the Aliens. So
I cannot complain.
Q: Your actual siblings have names like River,
Rain, Summer, Liberty. You yourself were named Leaf. Your parents were vegans,
hippies and members of a religious sect. Somehow a miracle that you remained
entirely normal?
JP: I was only named Leaf only because no one could pronounce Joaquin. And on my
family, I let come nothing. It was not easy to emancipate itself of certain
things, but I had a pretty good childhood with much love. My parents have been
separated for a long time, my mother has an entirely normal job in a
TV-transmitter. But, yet we have close contact together today.
Q: Who taught you how to handle the hard
Hollywood film business?
JP: That was learning by doing. I began with the acting when I was ten years
old. At 14, I had then my first large roll in the comedy "Parenthood."
But for some reason the show-circus was too stupid and I went to Mexico to my
father.
Q: Your brother River Phoenix was at that time
the new Teenage movie star
JP: I don't have the slightest desire to speak over my dead brother. It gets on
my nerves to always be compared with him. My brother was a magnificent person
and an outstanding actor.
Q: When he died in 1993 in front of Johnny
Depp's Viper Room at the Sunset Strip because of a drug cocktail, you called
911!
JP: And this 911 call was sent in the radio and television. It was terrible.
They photographed him in his coffin. And these hysterical girls who at the
funeral almost fell into the grave. Repulsive. It lasted long until I had
overcome this shock.
Q: Who or what helped you at that time?
JP: I let myself concentrate on work, turned films and finally I was able to
show in "To the For", what I could. Previously one wanted to make a
second River out of me. I am not !
Q: Who stands by you now?
JP: My family, friends - Casey Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow
Q: No girlfriend?
JP: No. After the separation of Liv, I went a while on the track. Somehow
nothing came up.
Q: Was Liv Tyler the love of your life?
JP: (Laughs) how can I know that? I am not even 30 years old yet.
Q: Do you sometimes have had anxiety in
becoming famous?
JP: Renown is a delicate matter. Until Rivers death I was not quite aware how
famous he was. Here at home we had not watched television or read glossy
magazines. As I then through all the hype around his death automatically was
being involved was a shock for me because it was connected with so much dirt and
ugliness. (Smiles) oh I began on that subject myself this time!