- MC: It's not easy to play in a musical, a kind of fashion. La la land looks like a success, are you relieved?
Ryan Gosling: We'll see. You never know how the spectators will react, but I've been a little reassured since I saw the fi lm in public. Everyone who has talked to me about it ever evokes the experience of projection, sharing an electrical moment with other spectators, applauding, laughing, and so on. It's rare, and it really makes me happy.
- You dance very well! You started child?
Yes, at 8 years old. Then I continued, with more or less regularity, until the end of my adolescence. I have reflexes, but I'm not at all pro.
The La Land
- After dark and violent films, you have ventured into comedy for some time. Why this turn?
I do not think in those terms. I get involved in a film if I feel that the script and the director are good. That said, after Blue Valentine, the subject (destructive relationships within a couple, ed.) Had put me in such a state that my doctor recommended me lightness. So I played in Crazy, stupid, love.
- You started very young and had to interrupt your studies. Do you regret it?
I was 16 when I moved to Los Angeles. At this age, the brain is not yet fully developed, you remain flexible, even a bit stupid (laughs). Fortunately, I made this choice young, otherwise I would have asked too many questions. I jumped on a train, and here I am. Should I regret it? (He does not nod.)
- At 11, you worked at the Mickey Mouse Club, with Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. What memories do you keep? Did you stay in touch?
Hmm, listen, it was pretty cool to work at Disney World rather than go to school: what child would not like that? As for my comrades, I happen to meet some in public, but it can not be said that I remained in contact, no.
- In your movies and in your music (with the band Dead Man's Bones), you often venture into fantastic universes, sometimes macabre ... Where does this taste come from?
As a child, my mother often took me to the cemetery with her. She has a penchant for the supernatural and went there just for the pleasure of seeing the graves, researching her occupants ... And I was playing during that time. The cemeteries have never been terrifying places for me, on the contrary.
It's a huge chance to grow up surrounded by women. It makes it possible to have certain moral pillars.
- What makes you a feminist icon?
Ah, I am? (Smile.) Look, I did not do anything for it. But if you think that's the case, I'm very proud of it ... (He thinks.) I know there's a book with pictures of me with feminist quotes: I'd like to have said all these sentences; alas, I have nothing to do with it. (Laughter.)
- But when you say that a man "must be in touch with his feminine share," or "that women are stronger than men"?
I was raised by my mother and my elder sister, who passed on to me some values. It's a huge chance to grow up surrounded by women. It makes it possible to have certain moral pillars.
- Is this your definition of manhood?
Possible!
- As a child, you were fascinated by the motto of Disney World: "Where dreams come true." Have yours become reality?
At the time, my dreams were much more modest than the existence I lead today. I just wanted to earn my living properly, be happy like everyone else, have a home, a garden, but I did not have a crazy ambition. And then ... Yes, today I can say that reality exceeds my dreams. Do I still have dreams that have not been fulfilled? Of course! Otherwise I would be bored.
- Which ?
(Light smile.) You ask me too much, there.