Interviews
We
spoke with 12-year-old Sergiusz Żymełka about his role in "Tam, gdzie żyją
Eskimosi".
Interviewer: Łukasz Figielski, 03 December 2003
Q: Not many Polish actors have the privilege to work with Bob Hoskins. You are
just 12. How did it all begin for you?
My mother's friend found an advertisement looking for a 6yo for a major role
in a television theater spectacle. Mom thought it was worth trying out for. I
went to the casting, the second time, the third time, and somehow I made it. I
got to play with Władysław Kowalski. Later I signed up with an agency. They found
a few minor roles for me, and finally I received a phone call saying that there
was the role of Romek available in "Rodzina Zastępcza". After two sessions, the
producers came to the conclusion that I was too young to play this character,
and so I became Filip instead. After that there came the phone call about "Tam,
gdzie żyją Eskimosi". There were three stages. I won.
Q: How did you beat your competitors for the part?
I have no idea. Maybe I fitted the role physically? I often play poor boys,
orphans.
Q: What about the English language?
I had special instruction. It taught me pronunciation and increased my
vocabulary.
Q: And the result?
Maybe I don't speak "perfect", but not so bad now.
Q: How was it like to play alongside an international star?
At the beginning I was a little stressed, but then the awareness of appearing
side by side with Bob Hoskins started to motivate me to act better and better.
We understood each other very well. We played cards, talked. We still send each
other holiday cards.
Q: What about Krzysztof Majchrzak?
Mr. Krzysztof I already knew for longer, even from the spectacle "200
służących i śnieg" ("200 servants and snow"). The overall atmosphere was great,
even in Bośnia. But in this country people were really down. Buildings were
destroyed, there were mines everywhere. On our arrival we were given a lecture,
that one can walk only over asphalt and should not pick anything up. In
connection with the predominantly exterior locations we had other problems as well.
Sometimes the sunset was approaching rapidly and it was getting cold, but I
still had to walk
around in a t-shirt.
Q: How did you combine such a trip with school?
Overall I dropped many lessons, and during the shooting of "Tam, gdzie żyją
Eskimosi" I didn't go to school at all. Later I had to make up for this time.
I'm managing it somehow.
Q: With what grades did you finish the latest school year?
My school report was not bad. Average.
Q: Do you have time to meet with your friends?
With them - always! We play football (soccer), go to the swimming pool, to
the cinema...
Q: What movies do you like?
Original ones. I can't stand recycled plots and mindless fighting. I
liked "A Beautiful Mind" for example.
Q: What have you seen recently?
"Matrix Revolutions". It was average. The first part was
best, more mysterious, less shooting. Now there are only special effects.
Q: Do you have colleagues in the same line of work?
Girls - my sisters from the serial.
Q: Currently there’s the premiere of "Tam, gdzie żyją Eskimosi". Surely you
have some other plans for the future?
For now - just the serial.
Q: Finally, tell us why we ought to watch "Eskimos"
Although the movie is not based upon facts, similar events must have happened
in the past. If someone wants to see what the situation is like during a war -
then it's a good movie to watch.