DURESS PRESS CONFERENCE
On the occasion of Duress’ premier that took place in the framework of TIFF, director Jordan Barker and the film’s leading actor Sakis Rouvas held a press conference on Monday, November 16, at the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography.
The press conference coordinator, Giannis Zouboulakis, characterized the film as a «cat and mouse game» and Sakis Rouvas’ performance a “revelation”, adding that the popular singer made a wise career move.
“I like exploring my limits and Duress was a choice that proved a huge challenge. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done, and of course this is a milestone for my movie career”, said Sakis Rouvas, describing what his first participation in an American film production meant to him personally. Sakis Rouvas, who plays the part of a murdering psychopath in the movie, said that the role was a great challenge. “Abner Solvie is totally alien to both me and my public image, and that is what made him so interesting as a character. The film was very demanding, but researching how a man like this thinks and acts was really fascinating”, explained Rouvas.
Asked about whether he considers himself an actor after two appearances on the big screen - Alter Ego and now Duress – Sakis Rouvas underlined that he doesn’t like labeling: “If someone asks me if I am a singer, I will reply ‘yes’, if someone asks me if I am an actor I will also reply ‘yes’. My answer will be the same if they ask me if I am a father. I don’t like labels. I have always loved movies and this love was my primary motivation in taking up acting. I felt a great desire to discover myself and expand my limits”.
Duress’ director Jordan Barker, talking about the movie and his collaboration with Sakis Rouvas, said: «Working with Sakis was a great experience. I didn’t know what he had accomplished here in Greece and just how popular he is. He is an intense actor, who ‘lives’ the part. He trusted me and followed my advice, even when he didn’t understand why I asked him to do something”. Mr. Barker also revealed that his experiences while shooting Duress gave him the inspiration for his next project. He is now writing a script on how one can escape from one’s self.
