American director Joe Carnahan made his debut with the Tarantino-inspired 1999 pic "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane". He's made a gargantuan leap with gritty cop thriller "Narc".
Why make such an edgy, gritty film?
I think that too much of what comes out of Hollywood is basically digested at the same rate that popcorn is consumed! So if something sticks with you from this film - like it or hate it - I think it's worthwhile. I'd rather make that kind of film than make something where people come out and shrug their shoulders.
So what drives you to make a film like that?
I think it has something to do with the fact that there's a level of veracity. There's a level of authenticity that I just want to shoot for. Whether or not I achieve it all the time is another matter. I really stuck to my guns making this. You know, this is the way this life is portrayed. This is the way I choose to show it. If you don't like it, then OK. If you don't like the film then I think at some point you still have to respect it.
So how's it been having Tom Cruise come on board and rave about your movie ?
It's just been such an amazing journey and such an unprecedented one. I can't thank Tom enough for essentially elevating what would have been a film that slipped through the cracks and giving it this kind of birth. It's really amazing. It's just been incredible. I'm really happy and I'm really proud and I'm so glad that Tom took a shine to this movie. It's meant everything to us.
"Narc" opens in UK cinemas on Friday 7th February 2003.
