Talking to the head of THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE!

We caught up with Akihiro Kitamura who stars as ‘Katsuro’ in Tom Six’s infamous, cult horror film, The Human Centipede. Soon to be screened at a Picturehouse cinema near you!

We really enjoy reading your Twitter feed about what films you’ve seen.
Have you seen anything at the cinema lately? What are some of your favourite films of 2010 (so far)?

I saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World the other day and that movie was awesome! I like original movies like that. I am proud that Edgar Wright follows me on twitter. He tweeted to Simon Pegg & Nick Frost to follow me because I am the head of The Human Centipede, so they all follow me now! (Laughs)

My favourite films from this year are Kick-Ass, Inception, Let the Right One In, House, Mother and Child, and Get Him to the Greek. I loved Kick-Ass especially. I guess I must work with British filmmaker now.

How did you get involved with The Human Centipede? What attracted you to the project?

The casting director of Letters From Iwo Jima approached me about this project. She told me to read the script first before she was going to introduce me. I read it and I was actually impressed by it. I thought the script was very original and very, very funny. Yeah, I knew it was a horror film but I could not stop laughing when I was reading it. It’s got a very dark humour. I definitely did not want to ignore that aspect of the film.

I auditioned for the role of ‘Katsuro’ with Director Tom Six and his sister (Producer Ilona Six) through Skype. I was in LA and they were in the Netherlands. Tom told me that there were going to be two beautiful girls attached to my ass and I was like ‘you are genius! Let’s do it!’ They liked my acting so a week later they flew me to Amsterdam to shoot this film. It happened so suddenly. It was an unbelievable experience.

What was the most memorable part of shooting?

I think shooting a European film in The Netherlands with the international cast and bunch of Dutch crew was something I will never forget in my life. That is like once in a lifetime experience. Oh and I was on all fours and had this girl’s face attached to my ass 90 percent of shooting. That is memorable for sure…

It is a very unique film and is also rated an 18 certificate; did you ever worry about how it might be received by the audience?

I was not worried at all. I knew it was going to shock people but we do not really show gore or the gross parts at all. I think it was done with taste. I knew it was a well-made film. I would have been really worried if we were totally naked and showing everything in the film!

The Internet has been incredibly helpful to the films promotion and it has received a cult following online.
Were you surprised by how many people are talking about it on Twitter and Facebook?

I still cannot believe the film has got such huge attention from this. I do not think anybody could imagine that. I think the trailer created by IFC Films really made this film famous on the Internet. Everybody wants to say “What the f**k is this! Hey guys check this out!!”

Has the success of The Human Centipede enabled you to meet some of your personal heroes?

I met Quentin Tarantino! He came to see the film when it opened in LA at Nuart Theatre a couple of months ago. He told me that he loved the film and I did a great job in it. That meant a lot because I learned how to speak motherf**kin’ English by watching his bad ass film Pulp Fiction.  He was really a cool guy. I want to be in his next film!

I have seen some bizarre yet utterly amazing Human Centipede merchandise online, what’s the weirdest thing that a fan has made for the film?

Oh, The Human Centipede Necklace and The Human Centipede Cat Toy. I loved the Human Centipede Video Game (Courtesy of I-Mockery.com) and T-shirts too!

You’re a writer and director, as well as an actor. Does acting in other people’s projects benefit your directing style?

Yes, I think I learn a lot from directors when I act in their films. Everybody works differently and I am always taking notes about directing. I am so influenced by Tom Six now. I do not want to make a normal film. I want to make a crazy original film!

Can you tell us what you’ll be working on next?

I am looking for something very original and unique to do next.  There are so many directors I want to work with. I am very excited about my future career thanks to this film.

Recently, a pornographic parody of The Human Centipede has been announced, how do you feel about that?

I got so excited when I heard that somebody made a porno parody ‘The Human Sexipede’. That is crazy! I am getting a copy for sure! (Laughs). I think it is very cool. If somebody makes a porno out of your work that means you’ve made it!

The Human Centipede’s director, Tom Six, is currently working on a sequel to the film. Is there anything that you can tell us about it?

Tom Six got drunk one day and he told me about The Human Centipede 2 and I almost s**t my pants. It will be very f**ked up s**t. Sorry I can’t really say anything about this or I will be shot! It is going to be something a lot of people will talk about. Tom is a genius.

Last question, why should people see The Human Centipede at the cinema in the UK this weekend?

Hi UK film fans! You cannot miss this chance; you must experience watching this film with a lot of people in a movie theatre. It’s a film that will make you laugh, scream, cry and will enjoy together. You are going to have so much fun… in a very f**ked up way. It is a horror cult masterpiece!

Thank you very much Akihiro and best of luck with your future projects!

Tickets for The Human Centipede at Picturehouse Cinemas are on-sale now:  online and via our box-office: 0871 902 5739 (calls cost 10p a minute from a BT landline).

The film is rated ‘18’ certificate.

Sam Clements (Projectionist Ritzy Cinema & Picturehouse Podcaster)