I wonder if theres nostalgia for that now.
How do you feel about the idea of nostalgia in the film?
This is really a question for Tomas.
Does it exist as far as youre concerned?
Is it your trade as a director?
TA:Well, I suppose the Scandinavians are more melancholic, or at least I think so.
Ive now been here for two years, so I think I could see some clear differences.
Youre a very verbal breed.
Dont you like me?
Or did I say something wrong?
Or maybe she didnt hear?
Or was it a secret?
So its a very useful element in filmmaking, silence.
Smileys been described as the anti-Bond in terms of character.
If either of you received the call for Bond 24, how would you answer?
TA:A melancholic, boring [laughing], silent James Bond…
PS:The miserable Bond!
TA:Yes, but I think its… You dont mention that, if you turn something down.
PS:When are you finally going to make a genre film?
TA:I dont know [laughs].
PS:[laughing] Lets do a western!
How much did you, Tomas, have to immerse yourself in British culture to make this film?
Did you see the Alec Guinness version ofTinker, Tailorin Sweden at the time?
TA:I did, yes.
I said before that that was the kind of show where all the fathers would say Shut up!
I want to see this.
Was that part of the appeal of the project, the love of the series?
Or did you mean you watched it after you knew you were going to make this one?
Because you have to find some way into it, to put your own spin on it.
Its through his eyes?
PS:I cant remember.
TA:I remember.
So thats what we kind of used as the guiding light, really.
Tomas, is there anything else that struck you about this story?
Its quite different, and in many ways, a quite female world.
A spy has to work with imagination is it her?
Is he the Russian guy or is she the Russian guy?
Can I ask about your process of adaptation?
What do you think about that?
Is it something you were conscious of when making the movie?
The spy plot is complicated, the human story is actually quite straightforward, I think.
Did you audition or was it just a case of asking people, meeting people and chatting to them?
TA:It was easy and it was hard.
and [clicks fingers] ah!
It was the perfect choice, I thought.
I think 99 per cent are our first choices.
Was John le Carre always on board with a remake or did he take some convincing?
Did you have to sell it to him?
Hes been updated all through the process, and I think he likes it.
Hes in one of the scenes isnt he?
TA:Yeah [laughs] briefly, for a few seconds.
He liked it that much?
TA:Yeah [laughs].
What sort of notes did he give you?
Was there anything he objected to and said, oh, well actually, its more like this…?
PS:He never gave script notes.
He never said, I dont think you should do that.
then he would comment, and he usually was very supportive.
Yeah, I think you pulled that off!
Can I ask a question about one particular scene the reveal of the spy.
To have the proper, how do you say…?
TA:Well [to PS] you have a good answer on that.
Can both of you sit back and enjoy the finished product, when youre there with the audience?
Can you enjoy your work?
PS:No, I cant sit back and enjoy it.
PS:I think were still sort of in work mode almost.
I think itll take a while to…
TA:I think so too, yeah.
It takes a while for it to sink in.
PS:Ill watch it on DVD.
Have you both read the subsequent Smiley novels and spoken to John le Carre about future adaptations?
TA:No, we havent really, but Ive read them.
PS:Ive read them.
TA:And theyre great.
PS:But I think probably people will wait and see how this one goes.
Do either of you have a favourite scene from the film?
Can you tell us something about the music choices you made?
1985 is everything and backwards in history.
Tomas, do you have your next project lined up?
What kind of scripts are being sent your way now, with two breakthrough movies behind you?
TA:I dont know really.
I havent decided what to do yet.
Tomas Alfredson and Peter Straughan, thank you very much.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is on general release now in the UK.
