Emmanuel Itier: Was it an eye-opening movie, and did it force you to re-examine some of your points of view on certain political issues?

Jake Gyllenhaal: The movie puts a face on the whole big issue, indeed. I knew about the concept of “rendition” before, and I knew it was happening. And of course, you don’t find it on the cover of The New York Times, and if you look, you can read about it on the second or third page of that newspaper. I think a movie takes something you can objectify and you might not think about, and make it entertaining and also bring you a sense of reality. It’s nice to watch a movie and discover a new word and discover a new reality. I think it’s important to put a face on a political jargon that one doesn’t know about. And this movie just does that.

EI: Was it also a desire to show America with a different face–with a more human face?

JG: Yeah, and it’s equivalent to friendly fire–soldiers dying by the hand of their comrades by mistake. We were very focused with Gavin (Hood–the director) to not make the white man the good guy who does always the right thing and saves the day and all the Arabs. I hope we succeeded at showing that his choice wasn’t about doing the right thing but realizing that some things don’t work and making “adjustments” about them.

EI: Was it also important for you to show that we’re all part of a giant Domino game where were can all fall or all stand? We are one people, one planet…

JG: I think it’s important for people to realize that we are. It’s also important to have different opinions. Indeed, this movie shows we all act as if we are our own island as a man, but in the end, we need to realize we are part of the same big island and we all have an impact on each other. Maybe it’s a metaphor, this film, to show us we need to connect. I always hesitate about trying to push such or such “message.”

EI: At least it’s about realizing, beyond the illusion of becoming “one.” that we can live side by side, in total respect of each other.

JG: Yes, and we are a global community now. We need to face this reality, and there is no denying it. The more you deny it, the more trouble you’ll be in.

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