"The Others" was originally intended to be in Spanish. Why did you decide to change the film to English?
My producers thought the script made more sense in an Anglo-Saxon atmosphere, and it had much more to do with an old Victorian English house than a Mediterranean atmosphere. I haven't decided to do more English language films, it just depends on what my next project will be. I am very fond of English language films but at the same time I think we need to protect the diversity. If I find a story that needs to be filmed in France, I will learn French and go there!
Do you believe in ghosts?
I am agnostic but if I had to believe in ghosts, I'd believe in the kind of ghosts in the film. In this case they are a metaphor, an excuse to talk about other things - relationships, the dark side of family, the way children are taught, whether it's correct or not. Ghosts are just the key.
Why did you chose Nicole Kidman?
I didn't have anyone particularly in mind when I wrote the script in Spanish and was thinking about setting it in South America. Then we decided to translate it to England and Nicole really liked the character. When I met her and saw her eyes I thought they were so powerful, and I hadn't seen that strength and power used before in film. I insisted on using her eyes a lot to get all that energy from her. Now when you see the film, it seems like it was written for her.
Read why AmenΓ΅bar is wise not to direct the upcoming remake of "Open Your Eyes".
