Dont think this is me overcompensating, though, or fulfilling my end of a deal.

I had to return a screener disc last week, leaving me empty and bereft of a repeat viewing.

No, I am true to my word.Barneys Versionis every bit as good as my opening salvo suggests.

But Im trying to temper expectations.

On another day, I could have spent the entire interview slot talking about that back catalogue.

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Ive been watching it with audiences many times, yeah, all over the world.

And thats been the reaction since we first began to test the film.

Frankly, its the reaction we were hoping for.

Is that something you do a lot, then?

Watch your films with audiences to see how they play?

Ive always believed in taking guidance from those that the film has been made for.

So, I always do research screenings during the editing process, recruiting strangers.

Like your own test screenings?

Its easy to fall in love with every aspect of it.

What we think doesnt really matter.

Its what the audience thinks.

So, Im thirsty for that point of view.

That doesnt mean that films like that are not good.

But theyre very linear.

Theyre single concept movies.

This is a film that mirrors a life fully lived.

So, its been quite a journey to bring it to screen?

But the biggest setback was Mordecai Richler passed away.

And here, he became terminally ill.

I dont seek it out, I just seem to gravitate towards it.

But why spend years of my life?

I cant do that.

Although I wouldnt callBarneys Versionchallenging.

Its a very accessible story for pretty much anybody.

Is that based on people youve known, or amalgamations of people youve known?

Well, it actually comes from the novel.

Its Mordecai who created this.

But he was poking fun at me.

He was making fun of us.

Thats a great show!

Thats what hes making fun of.

And youve got a roster of your collaborators in there as well.

Well, if you rememberDue South.youll notice that the actor Paul Gross is in there.

And then youve got people like David Cronenberg, Atom Egoyan, Ted Kotcheff.

Youve drafted in a lot of people youve worked with over the years.

Is that something that came very easy?

Is it very collaborative, the way you work?

I wanted to have mementos from friends that I have worked with in the past.

But Denys Arcand and David Cronenberg and Atom Egoyan and Ted Kotcheff, they all came and had cameos.

So, theyre like little postcards to me and, really, to Mordecai.

All of these directors knew Mordecai Richler and it was really homage to him.

So, when I asked them to do it, there was no hesitation.

Awards certainly matter when it comes to the commercial life of a film.

I have to say yes to that question.

But the way awards work is a big business.

It was released by Sony Classics in the U.S., which doesnt spend millions campaigning for awards.

So, the overwhelming majority of Academy members didnt see the film until much later.

Thats a great shame.

Paul Giamatti won the Best Actor awards at the Golden Globes, and that was gratifying.

He is a shit.

Hes also a loveable shit.

But hes a shit.

And the thing is, most people, in my personal experience, are flawed.

And Barney Panofsky is definitely very flawed.

Theres no point in making this film, then.

Those kinds of characters are the staple movies often thrive on, but theyre not that interesting for me.

They have very little connection to reality.

And as you’re free to probably see from my films, I dont make fantasy movies.

Robert Lantos, thank you very much.

Barneys Version is available now on DVD and Blu-ray.