BFI Screen Talk: Jake Gyllenhaal | BFI London Film Festival 2017

We welcomed Jake Gyllenhaal to the BFI London Film Festival to discuss his career and celebrate the UK premiere of his latest film, Stronger.
From his breakthrough role in the 2001 cult favourite Donnie Darko, to climate change blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, and from his BAFTA-winning performance in Brokeback Mountain to his deeply unnerving performances in Nightcrawler and Nocturnal Animals, Jake Gyllenhaal has delivered some of the most diverse and accomplished performances of the 21st Century. Gyllenhaal joins the festival to discuss his career and celebrate the UK premiere of his latest film Stronger, in which he gives an extraordinary performance as a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing.
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[@shruti5443]

"The man trying to find the answer, is essentially a walking question mark." His insight and intelligence leaves me spellbound.

[@shruti5443]

He is so articulate, so emotionally intelligent, so self-aware, it surprises me. Normally I wouldn't listen to anyone talk for an hour, but Jake is so humble and gracious and the way he tells and retells his stories, his passion for the craft makes me sit through the entire thing everytime. I want him to continue talking. It's increasingly evident how much time and energy and effort he puts into his characters. And I absolutely love how he makes backstories of his characters that are presented to him as big question marks. He is so insightful, my goodness. I mean, so perceptive and attuned to his person. He's very inspiring. I'm also surprised at how much he discredits and almost never praises himself but his fellow actors, directors, casting directors, writers, et cetera. I've seen all the films he talked about, some more than once. And when I say that Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the best actors we have in this generation I mean every fkn word of it, and I will fight any and everybody for it. There's some of the finest works of acting that were left out of the conversation and I think deserved to be on there. He has so much respect for his family, other people who he works with, I'm quite sure the world is in awe of his work ethic. He talks about his sister with such admiration and adoration, as an older sister to a brother, makes me extremely happy. His vocabulary is unprecedented, jesus. I'm speechless. There's so many things I can quote the man from, it's astonishing how intelligent and intellectually gifted he is. He's extraordinary, he's amazing, and he's a star and an inspiration to everyone who comes in direct or virtual contact with him. My best wishes, and greatest regards.

[@taka-taktak]

I love your comment.

[@chriswright4677]

Well said. I’m curious, what’s your top 5 Films of his?

[@shruti5443]

Sheesh, did not realise I had gotten this passionate. A year on, still stand by every word. Also, that is such a difficult question, jesus. Okay, here goes: 1. Prisoners 2. Enemy 3. Nocturnal Animals [this needs so much more appreciate] 4. Jarhead 5. Nightcrawler, Donnie Darko

[@chriswright4677]

@@shruti5443 solid picks. Totally agree with you about Nocturnal Animals, it’s a masterpiece. It also has one of the finest film scores I’ve ever heard, madness it didn’t win the Oscar.

[@shruti5443]

@@chriswright4677 oh for sure. Actually, that statement summarises Gyllenhaal's entire filmography if I'm being honest. For me, he ranks as high as Christian Bale and Leonardo Dicaprio, Cillian Murphy, Brad Pitt, etc.

[@starrygrimes500]

when he started tearing up... bless him CAN I PLEASE HUG HIM

[@arithasu9069]

Can you tell me which part of the 56 mins exactly pls 🥺🙏🏻

[@jessehamilton1888]

@@arithasu9069 @25:19

[@cazh9456]

What an honest, gracious and selfless man. This interview enabled him to speak about his craft and how seriously he takes his work. Hence his amazing performances. He is so underrated ! Edith facilitated Jake’s responses well and supported what was quite an emotional and intense look into Jake. Could feel his pain, joy, elation as he spoke of some of his experiences and relationships with fellow professionals. Love the way he compliments other actors, directors and family.

[@taka-taktak]

Amazing interview. His eyes were moist while talking about Brokeback Mountain. This was such a vulnerable and emotional interview. Beautiful. 27:10 where he began talking about Heath's acting process, Heath was truly remarkable in that film. It showed. And in the end when he said he cried the whole way home from NY to Brooklyn. :(((

[@weasley2o13]

25:32 wow...needless to say I was crying as well and not because I understand where he's coming from but because I feel him, but putting that aside, in the past year or so I've felt like something had changed in Jake, and it was particularly strong the past few months, but I have been following him since I've watched October sky, and I was nine at the time (would be 26 two days before he turns 37, actually), and I can litterally count on two hands the number of times I ever saw him let something out like that, in a way he couldn't control, and I think it means something and I think he's in a very specific, very emotional, very fragile place in his life right now and it shows in the sadness in his eyes and it shows in his incredibly specific choice of words and now it shows in his tears, too. An extremely powerful moment and I'm glad I got to be a part of it in a way. What a complete person, my God...and a beautiful beautiful man. On the outside too.

[@heavenonearth8462]

What you say is beautiful and touching, and I agree. I also sense in the last few interviews when Jake speaks about BBM, in particular about Heath, there is a great tenderness and vulnerability there. It was always apparent but it seems to have deepened as though his heart is swelling significantly. It is beautiful to witness and it always feels like a gift to me. As Heath is, in my eyes, a beautiful expression of Love, so is Jake. Even though, or maybe more so because Heath is in spirit now, the love they share is palpable and very much alive.

[@ilariaquaranta9672]

And the interviewer was so sensitive to let him had this moment, and she changed the focus to make him breath.

[@nou9902]

Jake is lovely and interesting as always, but can I just mention how great of an interviewer Edith Bowman is? Great questions, really calm interviewing style, actually lets the guest speak without interrupting a hundred times (something numerous other interviewers seem to struggle with, which immediately turns me off the interview), she's just someone who really knows how to do her job well.

[@michellehall5769]

No u the people that have the time to do the job itm l I'm BB mñbbmńc. Thank NV b

[@michaelli3190]

He was holding back his tears

[@elenaTheOneWithTheDoodles]

25:20, so many emotions there...

[@WupWup68]

This interview makes me want to re-watch all the films that were mentioned here. I love how passionate Jake is about them. Those little stories from his experiences while filming them are always a joy to listen to - in this case particularly 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'Prisoners'.

[@randomuser1470]

21:28 Jake talks about Heath

[@dinadina23]

This is an amazing interview of Jake

[@arithasu9069]

Someday becoming a father wud be the best phase of his life I feel 💙

[@Ramannn]

Listening to Jake is amazing

[@cristinacano7853]

Great interview, I agree in part 15:15 when he said about how he doesn't like to work alone, and how he gets inspired by the other actor. I think that this relates to every creative job, as a Graphic Designer, working in a team, having different ideas to get creative solutions is the best feeling. That's why I love to watch and listen to actors and musicians talk about their creative process.

[@courtneymilner6062]

Here’s what I want Jake, a book about the industry and your craft and then you reading the book on audible 😂

[@Metroplex313]

He is such great actor. His performance in Nightcrawler is just brilliant!!

[@CitizenDevi]

Mr. Shneebly saw it 7 times and it doesn't get any worse. It's just so on point and just the best performance I ever saw by an actor. Can't wait to see Velvet Buzzsaw.

[@Metroplex313]

he can really express very much with his eyes. he would be the perfect jocker with this insane, psychopathic looking.

[@CitizenDevi]

Mr. Shneebly he would be but he'd never do it. And I think it's great that he doesn't want to play what we've seen a million times before and focuses on new characters.

[@lightuponlight6727]

wonderful conversation....

[@maryrausch36]

I have always thought Brokeback was less a gay love story and more an emotional love story. My heart says no one has to be gay to fall in love with someone of the same sex. It's simply about love.

[@burcinkoc.6992]

jake is perfection.

[@user-vo5sb3gf9c]

Такого талантливого и тонко чувствующего человека нужно берчь и заботится о нем.

[@prith84ezio]

35:40 damn he's just so good, that paul dano mannerism is so spot on 😂

[@michelle80025]

Christ I love that man

[@charlieogrady1809]

"BELIEVE ME, MISTER LEE, I AM A COWBOY."

[@HeartSinking]

He's lovely :)

[@CitizenDevi]

| 35:40 for Jake talking about Wildlife |

[@BelieveInImagination]

It would be cool to see the scenes they talk about. They've all been released for years now.

[@jaynesullivan8575]

Danny Kay use to watch him with my dad brilliant actor the way he change from scene to scene amazing energy

[@eliemai12]

Somehow he seems lonely.

[@Simone-dy4dx]

Why

[@a.m.1457]

I get the same energy. I know why but im not sure he knows it himself. Hollywood is poison. It's beliefs, it's people and the endless stairs you keep climbing, cause you are afraid to go back. Anyone who chooses Hollywood life for any reason, I can not allow myself to empathize with them.

[@jo-jovolkswagen7136]

my heart not broken .... just have some many rooms and in each room has it own window., very elastic ...love the exciting story ... it makes my heart keep on beating ... fast and faster and faster ... lol

[@hardcorestatus]

My sister Is Also 3 Years Older Than Me And I Was Born On December 15

[@janesmith8168]

It was a fascinating insight into the depth of research that Jake does for his roles. He may not be Daniel Day-Lewis but he really works hard to create the backstory of a character, bringing them into life on screen.

[@Jemppu]

"Eat, drink, man, man" :,D (I want that hat)

[@rbpr9438]

33:27

[@Bryan23201]

Edith Bowman be talking w/her hands

[@jo-jovolkswagen7136]

my world is spinning aroun his world as always... it looks upside down ...now ..or maybe later ...you know ...

[@jo-jovolkswagen7136]

point break .... cut cut cut ... breakeven point ... at ... the point or the same time of covid pandemic or ...breakthrough guiding book for the new starter to explore what is the true love in this present time ....as we all have our president from every countries bow to the same magic Tree outside or the garden strategy....?

[@jo-jovolkswagen7136]

effect the school , your school , or ...whose school? ...

[@nadja8171]

🪮

[@sanakasraoui4280]

he looks uncomfortable talking about brokeback mountain

[@WupWup68]

Not uncomfortable, I think. Emotional, mostly. The BBM memories must be bitterweet for him: precious, but also confronting at times.

[@npatel155]

I was there at this interview and it was quite something to hear him speak and gain an insight to him because he's usually justifiably reserved in paper interviews etc but it just took my appreciation for him to another level. And he definitely didn't appear uncomfortable talking about brokeback but we knew he was emotional, particularly because he hasn't really spoken about his friendship and relationship with heath to this extent (to my knowledge)