Snapes Behaviour and Legimens

[Sydney]

No: HPFGUIDX 161638


Tinktonks:

> What intrigues me is that in an interview with Alan Rickman (just
the best guy to play Snape or what) in a film magazine that was so
long ago I cant remember properly, it said that JK Rowling told him
> something about Snapes back story that would help him play the role
> and understand the man.
> 
> I have fun hypothesizing what that could be.
> 
> Any clues?


Sydney:

Funnily enough I came across very recently an interview with Rickman
in a french film magazine from 2005-- the very charming site "Why
Snape" put up a translation here: 
http://whysnape.tripod.com/rickmanfrench.htm .. 

Choice excerpts of interest, the idiosyncratic translation is the site
owners:

Q: We gradually discover what Snape went through in the past. It seems
he didn't have it easy as a teenager...

-[Alan] He wasn't very sociable either.  Snape never had friends. Lily
Potter really tried to be nice with him, but Snape couldn't support
her pity.  And with James Potter, his best mate Sirius Black and their
partner in crime Lupin spending their time ridiculing him, he shut
himself in even more.  Snape's life is much more complex than it
seems.  He was a member of the Death Eaters and then became a turncoat
to join Dumbledore' side. But his past keeps clinging onto him,  so
coupled with his demeanor few trust him.

Q:  He appears to know Igor Karkaroff well when he comes to Hogwarts
for the Triwizard Tournament.

-[Alan] It's true that these two know each other well. But I cannot
talk too much about their relationship to those who have not read the
book. We shouldn't kill the suspense. And then Snape has so many
secrets because he knows a lot a people. And not only nice people of
course. 

Q: Did some fans address you with loathsome remarks?

-[Alan] In fact, very little did.  What is splendid is that people in
general adore Snape. He is sarcastic, stubborn, etc, etc. But he is
also fascinating. I have a lot of fun impersonating him, I take
immense pleasure in playing someone so ambiguous. We never know what
to expect nor do we know what he really thinks. I don't even know if
Dumbledore knows him that well. Only JK Rowling holds the answer!


That's about it... he does say it's sad not enough people celebrate
Snape's birthday! :D .. It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the bit
about Lily's pity and him not having friends came from his meeting
with Rowling.  

-- Sydney