'Blood Father' stars Mel Gibson and sees him playing a determined father fighting to protect his estranged daughter from a drug cartel hunting her down.
Throughout the film, Mel's character John Link must use the experiences in his past life as well as the skills he gained as a criminal to keep him and his daughter away from harm, and away from death.
Mel answered some questions about the film.
Tell us about the character you play in 'Blood Father', John Link.
Well he is basically a guy who has many transgressions on his score card. He’s kind of criminal in a sense, he’s a biker, he’s imbibed illegal substances, and he’s probably killed people. He’s a bad father, his daughter is on a milk carton and you know it all comes home to visit him when he’s trying to get sober and do all this sort of stuff. He gets a chance to be a good dad so it’s kind of a redemption story but he’s a crusty old character.
Image © Icon Film DistributionWhat appeals to you the most about this character?
Yes of course I like the guy, [I like] that he was trying that he’s pretty rough and he’s got a temper. He kind of fulfils the hero role but he’s an ordinary slob. He doesn’t do it elegantly, like he doesn’t know how to kill people elegantly and doesn’t know all these killer tricks. He kind of screws it up but he’s effective.
Do you have to be able to relate to the characters you play?
Yes of course, if you can draw something close to yourself then that’s good, if not then you go further left field. I’ve never actually killed anyone or been a member of a bike club but I’ve talked to members of bike clubs and motorcycle gangs. I did a lot of research on that.
What were they like?
They are some scary guys, they’re tough guys. It’s their family and they have their own rules and their own laws. And it’s outside the law in a lot of ways. I’ve talked to guys of real biker groups or guys who have infiltrated real biker groups from the DEA or the ATF. I got to know them and I got to visit people in prison and talk to prisoners.
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How did you win their trust?
Well I think generally speaking they want to talk about it, because I think there is a part of it that’s like a barb inside them. Hopefully they trust me, I think they do. I’m not asking them out of any other reason than I just want inside knowledge of the mental processes and what it takes to behave in certain ways or be a part of a group like that. I don’t really have to jump any hurdles to gain their trust, or I haven’t found that so far. No one has tried to kill me afterwards.
What was it like working with Jean Francoise, as a director yourself?
I just really appreciated the work he’d done, like the Mesrine biopics, I liked them. This material for him seemed really good. It was like Americana but he had a distinct European sensibility. He could look at it from the outside and it gives it a different perspective, which I liked. He does not overcomplicate it but is right to the point. I liked his style, we were operating on a shoestring and he made some really interesting choices. I would look at those and go “that was a really good choice”. I wouldn’t have made it but it was good because there is no right way to do anything. Mostly I was just being a good soldier, and having him inform me of what his vision was and we’d go for it.
Was the motorbike riding physically demanding?
I like motorcycles; I used to have a Harley. I finally gave it away because it was only a matter of time before you end up a statistic. My reflexes aren’t what they used to be. But you know I like that aspect of it. It wasn’t too arduous, it was kind of action-y but it’s not over the top thrills and spills jumping off buildings. You do stuff in your range and stay in shape.
Image © Icon Film DistributionHow was it working with Erin Moriarty who plays your daughter Lydia in the film?
She’s fantastic, she’s a little sprite, and she’s there with the dialogue real quick. Fun to work with, great personality and good little actress. We just had fun hitting off each other. I like working with kids too, I call her a kid but she’s 22 now but she was 19 I think when we shot the film. So you’re working with a teenager and it’s just really nice to see talent in someone so young and work with that. It’s exciting and she knows what she’s doing. The other core relationship on screen is with William H. Macy. He’s fantastic, I like Bill, and between takes he plays the Ukulele. He just sits there and sings little songs he makes up.
Do you have any directing projects coming up?
I directed in Australia, I did a film about WWII in Okinawa, and specifically about a real life character named Desmond Doss who was a conscientious objector. He wouldn’t touch a weapon, wouldn’t kill, but went to the worst place on Earth and saved everybody’s life. He was the first conscientious objector to win the medal of honour; he was like the bravest guy ever.
