James Gray received the Career Leopard award at the Locarno Film Festival on Sunday, ahead of the Swiss premiere of his latest film, Paper Tiger, on the festival's Piazza Grande. Meeting the press before the evening screening, the American director discussed his approach to cinema and working with actors.
Gray said he is always shocked when actors agree to work with him, and admitted he is not a good director of actors. He argued that actors dictate the style of a film. He also described movies as the closest thing we have to a dream, adding that people who talk during a screening make you want to kill them.
The event is the latest stop on Gray's festival tour with Paper Tiger. The Career Leopard is a lifetime achievement honor presented by the Locarno Film Festival.