Blueberry: INTERVIEW WITH JULIETTE LEWIS

Did you know Jan Kounen's work before working with him on this project?
I saw "Dobermann" and thought Jan had an incredible and unique visual style.What was your main motivation to work on that project?
I liked that Jan was attempting to combine film genres. Were you surprised to see a Frenchman directing a western movie?
I think if anyone could pull this off, it would be Jan because it goes beyond the realms of a typical western. I think Jan knows no limits within his imagination and this is a huge turn on for me as an actress. What do you think about Jan Kounen as director and as human being?
Jan is a rare and special force as a director and human being. He is ambitious and alive with constant visions that inspire everyone around him. How was it to work with Vincent Cassel?
Vincent was fearless. He rode like a cowboy. He really pulled out all the stops to make "Blueberry" fully realized. I loved his humor and fearlessness. We had fun being covered in dirt working in the intense heat, playing roles in this fantasy world. We lived in cabins and at times rode our horses. It was an incredible experience bringing the old west to life. With a wild Frenchman no less. Your father acted in a lot of western movies?

I was so enamored working with my father.

It was a true gift that Jan cast father and daughter in this movie. I thought it might be difficult to act together because we know each other so well but it turned out to be a spectacular experience. To be able to look into my father's eyes while acting in this emotional scene was such a special experience.

And I really enjoyed seeing him at work as an actor because he has all this film history. I really got to appreciate him as an actor not just as my dad. We actually work very similarly. We're both very jovial and friendly with the crew and then when it's time to film, we focus real sharp on what we're doing. I felt our connection as father and daughter and as artists deepen.

Are you a good horse rider?

I used to own a horse when I was younger and would ride many summers.

Then I discovered boys and lost interest in horse riding. It was fun and scary at first to get back on a horse as I hadn't ridden in 10 years and I had to get rid of my fear. When I was a kid I didn't have any fears, I even competed in barrel racing and horse jumping competitions.

I ended up buying my horse that I rode in Mexico and he now lives 15 minutes from my house in California. I love him so much. I would bring him carrots every day because he worked so hard in the Mexican heat. I was so pleased that he didn't get too wild with me since horses are filled with different energy and fear, just like people. He has a much better life now.