Hr. Vinterberg & Mr. Bowie

Just had to share this very interesting and inspirational conversation between David Bowie and director Thomas Vinterberg. Topics of discussion: Bowie's new album 'Heathen', Vinterberg's Dogma-style filmmaking, numbness of life, living in America and the mind of a fool.
Recorded for Danish television DR on July 04, 2002 in Aarhus, Denmark.

[@larindanomikos]

Most intelligent interview with Bowie I have seen. He was eager for this conversation with this man he admires. Most journalists were not smart enough to have a significant conversation with Bowie.

[@educateme8455]

I thought it was Bowie talking to some cult member...at first.

[@ActuallyNotMyName]

Bowie and Vinterberg!? In the same room? HAVING A CONVERSATION!?!?! Thank you, internet.

[@kiuakakirstine8257]

Two great men that I admire so much. One's gone and the other just won an Oscar for "Another Round".

[@KlausBahnhof]

Agreed, Another Round is a great film!

[@bawoman]

Bowie humming/singing to himself is one of the most beautiful things to behold...he should have little chirping birds all around him or something.

[@lisaradford5363]

💖

[@fattidiliberta]

indeed

[@Neednoy2]

Yes. The tune was sooo dreamy.

[@richardwilliams9686]

or a built -in recording device

[@Froggi1337]

Even when he was doing day-to-day stuff he did it with a musical whimsy it seems. I like that.

[@MrJarvisrose]

Fantastic dialogue - is this not what television could be - ? Bowie is simply the most wonderful, charming genius. An inspiration - thanks.

[@kooi2000]

Welcome!

[@preciousdevere288]

It makes me so sad David had projects planned for 2016...highly intelligent amazing man. And oh so handsome to..

[@adolflenin4973]

@@preciousdevere288 *Too

[@figurativearc]

This interview really demonstrates just how awesome a discussion about ideas and art can be.

[@lynnsmithershubbard1896]

it's rarely a two way street

[@copperdog]

He's a film director. That's why

[@jessica5497]

@@copperdog not really tho, anyone with a creative life can have this kind of conversation, is just about passion and openess. He was great tho, Bowie too.

[@TheBigminnie3]

By far best Bowie interview I have seen. By letting Bowie lead conversation you learn a lot more about him. David was a teacher by nature and this allowed him to teach.

[@lynnsmithershubbard1896]

I saw an interview where he said he wished he was a teacher like his Sting had been before. As a teacher myself, I wish I had some colleagues like him.

[@junnaredd9912]

He would have been a cool teacher.

[@madgemuso7314]

He would have been a marvellous teacher, or lecturer. He said that he owed it to his father for encouraging him to read and to question everything. He only got 1 qualification from high school which is a classic example of how exams and school aren’t for everyone. He continued to read and learn all throughout his life which is one of the many things I admire about him. 💕

[@adolflenin4973]

@@madgemuso7314 Typical Englishman

[@GrantTarredus]

You make such an extremely fine observation, Cher. David Bowie was a teacher, indeed. And he’s teaching us still.

[@extenebrislux]

Thomas was right, we did need another 10 hours of this! Wonderful!

[@kimberlyjohnson1371]

Yes. I believe that he'd have had someone sweating bullets.

[@burpie3258]

Knowing the great David Bowie had trouble writing songs in the beginning makes life seem a bit more possible.

[@EasyActionTV]

only bowie can turn an interview into a wonderful two way conversation .. miss him already

[@kooi2000]

Miss him every day.

[@davidoption8]

@@kooi2000 Love him till tuesday, well might stretch it till wednesday. d.

[@preciousdevere288]

Beautiful man hes living on somewhere in the cosmos...he was great wasn't he!

[@dianetaylor2388]

...

[@mads2668]

It wasn't an interview, it was supposed to be a conversation... jeez

[@CharlotteElizabeth92]

Intelligence is sexy. These men prove that.

[@pnmjojo]

David, you were a genius with the most beautiful laugh.

[@LordMarlle]

This meeting is pure gold. The young artist and the wise auteur (both feels like a description of Bowie XD) Brilliant

[@bernadettewilliams2361]

🤒🤒

[@bernadettewilliams2361]

I love it thanks 😊

[@williamjosephdunn5879]

This right here is why losing Bowie was such a loss. Even if he never made another song or performed live ever again, his curiosity and his thoughtfulness - as well as his opinions on just about any subject were valuable. He was a legendary musician and artist, but ultimately - above all, he was a fan first.

[@Zowie39]

I wonder. Maybe not performing but I could see him writing books! 🕊⚡

[@andreasstergard4057]

0:01: Thursday, 4th of July 2002 0:03: A hotel in Aarhus (second largest city in Denmark) 0:35: The artist David Bowie and the director Thomas Vinterberg have never met before 0:42: David Bowie just released his latest album, HEATHEN, and Thomas Vinterberg is putting the finishing touches on his movie IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE 0:50: They have been asked to show up unprepared. To help them, they have a stack of cards with short keywords for a conversation. They now have 25 minutes together.

[@tomfoolery1039]

I'm so fascinated by everything Bowie says.

[@burpie3258]

That's good!

[@franckmarronier130]

But

[@franckmarronier130]

Not too many braincells

[@DeepMomentum]

What a brilliant idea for a rare type of interesting TV-show. Wonderful to see Bowie like this

[@matvei15]

I have seen hundreds, if not thousands of Bowie videos on KZbin and this interview stands as one of the most fascinating. Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed it very much!

[@susannabonke8552]

Wasn't it obvious He had deep thoughts?

[@GrantTarredus]

I could have written every word of your comment; I echo your sentiment precisely. What an exhilarating, free ranging conversation - a joy! I do thank the uploader very, very much for sharing this gem.

[@farjadnabi7635]

pls recommend other intvws youve seen

[@LBIndustrie]

I, myself, have met Bowie and collaborated in the early 90s' with him, and he held my hand lots. He's a beautiful soul. As for Thomas Vinterberg, he is too. I dearly hope to film with him or interview him one day and we can enjoy a shared moment about our times with Bowie.

[@TVC15ohoh]

+Lisa Wilshere-Cumming Lisa, you can't just leave it at that! You collaborated with David? On what? You two worked together on a project or projects? What what what what what?!

[@burpie3258]

I'd love to know more about your collaboration!

[@lauraandersen4887]

Dr. Lisa Wilshere-Cumming y

[@angdata9371]

Please tell us!!!

[@32mybelle]

So jealous! Details please!

[@scott6504]

So amazing, Bowie was always a young man until the very last few months of his life. He even was a bad ass at the very end. He manifests a great deal of hope.

[@lynnsmithershubbard1896]

Do you think so? I hope so....

Not so young. The cancer made him old in his final years (10 years after 2002). And Bowie himself never said he was optimistic.

[@finglaspete]

This is one of the best Bowie interviews I've seen, though I must say Bowie spends most of the interview interviewing the other guy, but it highlights a lot of Bowie's thoughts.

[@madsnn4222]

its not an interview its a conversation...

[@GNeuman]

Oh man, haven't we lost something....😓😓😓

[@esotericed8736]

Bowie - "Hello Thomas" Thomas - "My name's Thomas"

[@lynnsmithershubbard1896]

very cute...and I said to myself "Uh Oh" but he landed on his feet. Bowie was charmed by that. And maybe a little flirty???!!!!

[@joshuaortiz4886]

@@lynnsmithershubbard1896 I sense the flirty too

[@nclsrfn]

he was a smart and beautiful man.

[@quicksite]

5:47 - Artists, Structure and Options - "Why do we have structures as artists, I wonder? Is it replacement for things we feel are lacking in an acceptance of chaos that we're living in? ... We create a synthetic structure to give us the impression there's some kind of sense in everything?" - "And too many options!" - So, making "Heathen" , what made life more bearable for what we were trying to do was to take away options." - 6:36 - "I've seen so many people make such huge mistakes when given an enormous budget"

[@johncarmichael1299]

So refreshing an interview with no mention of Ziggy or bisexuality and many other overly covered topics. His amazing knowledge of the people involved in just about any subject on the planet, SO well read, educated, charming and funny.........

[@thomasj219]

Thank you. Finally someone got into his mind and process instead of the silly sensationalism. Lots of valuable information, just wish it was longer could have watched it all day. -Jane

[@kimberlyjohnson1371]

Yes..I would have appreciated seeing/hearing more of this interview.

[@davidsanderson5918]

I expected a discussion on Dogma filmmaking.....wow it became so much more than that. As usual, with Bowie, his thoughts are relevant for a lonnnnnng time.

[@suzy3600]

Love to see Bowie being the interviewer

[@GaryMurgatroyd]

I miss this bugger already , he left way too soon ,,,,,,,

[@jonasbolander7522]

I had high expectations for this video, and they were definitely met.

[@KeriYang]

What a conversation! I actually saw Vinterberg 's Festen in 98 and Jagten years later. He's really getting better as he's getting older, just like what Mr. Bowie said, only "time" can help an artist figure out what he's doing. I felt extremely moved when Mr. Bowie said he'd explore the same subjects til the very end. He did exactly that with his last album, but the sound was definitely new and never bored us. Thank u sooooo much for posting this in a time when "so much stupidity around us."

[@thewomanwithnohead]

Totally right, can't find better words to say all of this !

[@JannemanVaarwater]

agree!

[@PB2001PB]

Vinterberg is talented that's obvious. As far as getting better with age, I'd say his masterpiece is and always will be Festen which he directed in his 20s.

[@avemarie7364]

Jagten is not a dogma (?)

[@deathkampdrone]

Jagten is a great watch, but Festen is his masterpiece. Absolute timeless brilliance.

[@hiridavidfeign]

Name one other rock icon who could have this conversation? Bowie was the intellectual's rock star.

[@melizmatea]

I love how he said he never found songwriting to be easy, he had to work incredibly hard to learn it. That's something I always loved about Bowie and one of the ways he stands out from other musical artists - he paid his dues! It took him almost a decade to really get rolling. He did work hard and I love that he did that (thank god he didn't give up!) It's a real lesson to anyone with musical aspirations.

[@MayaMaya-om2vv]

One of the best interviews I've seen with Bowie... So full of intelligent openess. Thank you Mr Vinterberg.

[@zachariahwhiton3948]

This is what a good podcast SHOULD sound like. Such an interesting conversation, both people contributed

[@misterapplesyd]

Ive only seen/read a few interviews where David talked abt films and filmmakers that he wasnt involved in. Its frustrating bc we know David watched a lot of films and knows a lot about cinema. Also love how he talked about Design and you could tell how interested he was in the Memphis Movement seeing that he had a lot of Memphis pieces in his collection.

[@lynnsmithershubbard1896]

He sometimes mentions Elvis Presley in his interviews regarding influential music in his youth

[@misterapplesyd]

@@lynnsmithershubbard1896 what? I mean memphis design lol

[@tr3vk4m]

I couldn't find ANYTHING on Bowie talking about Nirvana (other than his views on their cover) but his mention of them at this point confirms for me that he did indeed give them more than his passing attention.

[@ryanpritchard1278]

What a great conversation. Bowie is clearly respectful of Vinterberg and looked like he really enjoyed the interaction. Great chat! A mindful engaging intellectual dual. Great - Best interview with Bowie, just brilliant.

[@Appolonia1964]

Thank you for sharing this interview Menno. Like listening to David Bowie...his voice....the subjects....the way he thinks and forms sentences....just love it

[@kooi2000]

+Appolonia1964 You're welcome!

[@indranibandyopadhyay7173]

Beautiful conversation - and isn't Thomas Vinterberg an impressive fellow?

[@TeslaShambles]

He did just win an Oscar.

[@oliverrussell9786]

@@TeslaShambles wow rly?? We almost had no idea

[@d.s.28]

Bowie is so gracious to take an interest in Thomas.Bowie was a humble,loving and genuine man. Definitely a true genius.I had the great fortune to see Bowie three times. He was such a remarkable person in so many ways.

[@rolfebowers2826]

Giving Bowie flash cards with conversational prompts like “the fool”, brilliant, and remindful of enos cut and paste collaborative work. They should’ve done a miniseries.

[@pluijm2]

Mr. Bowie was a very interesting person. Too bad he's gone. I've been a fan of his music since I was 12 or 13 years old (im 56 now).

[@andreaw.3010]

One of the best interviews I've seen of Bowie. Smart, candid, open and I loved so many of his answers. I feel I know him better after this.

[@alexanderdahoola8188]

How did Bowie manage to interview Vinterberg?

[@norahherbie8537]

It was more of a conversation..which is nice

[@mswallis9]

Ah! But he does artfully conduct the interview,,,and made it incredibly relevant!

[@jessica5497]

Its Bowie

[@Tableworm]

I've seen him do it before, I think he was more interested in listening to others, it was his muse. Getting loads of input and translating it into a Bowie output.

[@sydbarrett5]

He was very smart and curious about people and concepts.

[@lephenomene1308]

You can tell that Thomas is nervous. David: Hello Thomas Thomas: My name is Thomas But hey, who wouldn't be. That's David Bowie😱

[@sandrag8656]

I noticed that David was nervous too at the beginning.

[@danw1374]

Unfortunately, i never got to meet david, but a lot of my friends have and they all say the same thing, that after a minute or so they completely forgot they were chatting with somebody so famous as he was so personable and unaffected, no airs or graces whatsoever.

[@stanimiramarkova5587]

to me this is the most incredible conversation/interview ever happened, every single aspect of it, every single component of it

[@heavymeddle28]

I miss David Bowie... We've lost a really special man

[@patriciam6541]

Seeing this interview in 2020. Bowie has been gone a while and Thomas Vinterberg just out with new film with Mads Mikkelsen. Glorious artists. In America we have just gotten rid of Donald Trump. Testament to the dumbing down in America, how joyfully ignorant and insular most of America is as touched upon here. I remember becoming sick over the decline of America’s culture, them loss of art when marketing individual egos became the entire game. Don’t think the USA can snap out of it. Values seem irreparably lost. I love seeing these two.

[@aryastark6266]

Sadly looking in at America from Britain, i dont see the us ever recovering from the disease Trump has spread. There's so much hate, ignorance and bigotry sown in the very foundations of the US, there's no turning the tide.

[@elizabethbronsdon-kudjoi3727]

Speechless ❤️ Been a Bowie fan for over 40 years. Never ever tire of listening to him.

[@norcicoso]

He was very comfortable doing this interview

[@meigyntay9226]

I love how David Bowie speaks, he hardly moves his lips yet you can hear him so well. I love his voice...there's a magnetism to it...just can't get enough.

[@2lipToo]

Very interesting and intelligent conversation. Thank you.

[@Chiromanic]

I saw this interview the day it broadcast in Denmark, but wasn't quite ready for it back then. Thanks to youtube, I'm now able to watch it again, this time fully appreciating it. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since 2002 for Thomas, and it's really interesting to see where and what he was 19 years back, now that I know him better. And seeing these two gentlemen together is simply a rare treat.

[@rmp7400]

Wow. This man Jones was a thinker.. Social observer...commentator...interpreter... Artist...teacher. Yikes. Huge talent. Thank goodness he overcame the drugs and found his footing in a happy marriage, to find some fulfillment of heart before leaving this world. Very gracious thinker......sadly, too often the two gifts do not blend in the same person.

[@jyoon4064]

+Menno This interview is so interesting, thank you for posting this. David looks happy engaged in a delightful intellectual conversation with a brilliant young artist. He is so beautiful when laughing and smiling to his heart's content after the talk is over--it melts my heart every time I see this clip, it melts my heart freshly every time I remember he's gone.

[@emilmalthesrensen5830]

Such a wonderful being he was.

[@Maha1J]

This the best intellectual interesting interview till now Bowie seems so happy and interesting with it, he didn’t want it to end That guy is great, it was much to Bowie’s interesting mind that I enjoyed Wow to both of them 👏

[@hsiehnancy]

What a mind- blowing conversation! Thank you for sharing.

[@fictionfatale3913]

David - “It will always be fairly dark” Black star - hold my wardrobe

[@32mybelle]

I love this "interview" so much. I like that they could talk to each other as artists. I agree that you learn a lot more by watching this, than other interviews.

[@IsItBehindTheFridge]

Bowie: "Hi Thomas" Thomas: "Hi I am Thomas" Bowie: makes obvious joke about having answers on cards ready Thomas: misses it completely Thomas: "Let me introduce myself" Bowie: Takes over interview

[@jessica5497]

Lol Bowie was amazing ..Thomas too,Just kind of nervous

[@susannabonke8552]

But he didn't expose it. Nice

[@AnneSofieLovesMozart]

He's probably starstruck

[@schlumbl84]

Bowie was a very smart and spiritual man. ALWAYS ahead of his time, even in his way of thinking. I share a lot of his views. That wasnt just an interview, it was a full on conversation of two smart men. Very enjoyable. Its such a horrible shame weve lost such a wonderful minded man and incredible artist. He was truly unique and one of a kind.

[@aprils6589]

Two beautiful minds just chatting - perfection. The fool discussion reminds me of 'Being There" by Jerzy Kosinski. Miss you DB.

[@LoFi_Follet]

"He does produce the most extraordinary sounds... He stumbled upon a truth of some kind" said Bowie about Daniel Johnston. That was the best pas of this conversation.

[@jbow68]

Wow. At the end of a missing him day, this interview. Now, clearly see why we all do. The Best in so many ways: David Bowie.

[@andreaw.3010]

You could not have said it better.

[@lavie8799]

This guy could have been his son, they so lookalike in many ways

[@gwenaelmahuas6614]

Two geniuses in one interview. I really enjoyed how Thomas enters in the conversation. It could easily have gone wrong with bigger egos... but pure magic happens here.

[@sdwindycitygirl]

I Love how Bowie actually seems to be the interviewER. Clever!

[@jfpissias]

amazing interview & conversation.

[@gryeskedal6300]

Beautiful interview! Two artists who really respect eachother. Bowie is so relaxed.

[@Bluedog4712]

There is no way to describe the mind of David Bowie other than being a vast library of understanding with ample space for even more knowledge, and had he lived I truly believe there was so much more to come out of him….and as always completely different to what we have heard before! Sadly we can only imagine….

[@HankHopeless]

Most excellent conversation between two people that are really interested in each other work - I'm as always impressed by Bowies great knowledge of films.. And in this case something as specific as Danish films. I couls easily have listened to Vinterberg and Bowie for 3 times as long

[@czaderka87]

Such a pleasure to watch, from both sides.

[@lydian.773]

Bowie looks like he could be Vinterberg's dad or favorite uncle. 💛

[@silverstone78]

Now THIS is what I call an interview.

[@aryastark6266]

God I could listen to him forever. His articulation and intelligence is so fascinating amazing to listen to. What I wouldn't give to have him back.

[@ayda7971]

A wonderful, intelligent conversation 💖

[@suzy3600]

Actually, rephrase that. It is just a lovely conversation

[@sarahgartner253]

Thomas is one of my favourite directors ever and ageless in his joyful presence. Stunning. Beautiful. Full and free

[@thewordofgord]

Having just seen Far From The Madding Crowd, was looking for a Vinterberg interview and stumbled upon this little gem. Thanks for the upload!

[@yvonnevanderhilst7317]

Dank je wel Menno, dat je dit interview op youtube hebt gezet. Ik heb er intens van genoten. Ik ben een fan van Bowie in hart en nieren.

[@LiquidIronTV]

Incredible how so much of what they said here is more relevant than ever.

[@abuttermaid]

A riveting conversation. Thanks for posting it!

[@jerrysun7501]

i will be there，waving like that..feel sad 2019

[@richardguerin9153]

Thank you SO much for posting this! what a GEM! David predicts American Politics in 2002, at the 18 min mark! Such a difference in the outcome of the interview when David enjoys intelligent questions and dialogue vs. being asked about taking drugs in the 70's or the same same same questions that are usually asked. Miss him!!

[@beyondz55]

Its CIA politics they killed JFK its the deep state they lied us into entire wars.

[@wiseonwords]

This is a gem of an interview! One of David Bowie's most illuminating interviews.

[@sandrag8656]

When two really openminded guys meet. 👌💖

[@LyraAmber]

i just stumbled over this today - a wonderful conversation & the way they treat each other in a good respectfull way. touches my heart! soo good!

[@ladyblackstardust390]

The Creative process!

[@RenePeraza]

As a long-time fan of David I can tell when he has contempt for the interviewer and when he's actually enthralled by them... he really likes this young director and it shows in his repartee with him.

[@ashleymartin4512]

david was a god-sent(send)a blessing his music and talent immeasurable watching the footage and realising he's gone thats the hard part....

[@besserschlafensofort]

The art of conversation!

[@ludovicflamand202]

we can feel something in the air between then both ! ;)

[@susannabonke8552]

Love and respect.

[@patakekess]

real conversation and reflection about art creation, great moment, great artists

[@helenlittle9355]

Delightful! A conversation about art's relevance to life ... and ways to express the same thing so very differently. It was wonderful to listen to a satisfying and inspiring chat.

[@DarthMacchio]

Of course I'm sad that David passed at a relatively early age, but in a way I'm grateful that he got to, because of everything he's been spared since 2016. I think he would be deeply disappointed in the world since then, as the concerns he raises in this 2002 interview have only been exacerbated. He seemed to have a knack for predicting the future, so maybe he even saw it coming and felt it was an okay time for him to move on.

[@beyondz55]

Yeah he'd have alot to say about Biden lying us into entire WARS

[@jamieholmes5443]

Just got an Oscar. Good man.

[@James-nl6fu]

Bowie helped and helps a lot of people who lost themselves taking a similar journey through life. Anybody can be a beautiful human being if they can believe it. That's his greatest gift 🎁 to us all❤️