Exactly a year ago I explored on Irenebrination the disturbing yet fascinating universe of Roberto Faenza’s H2S.
Soon after that post, actor Denis Gilmore, who starred in the film as the main character, Tommaso, got in touch to ask where he could get a copy of the movie since he had never seen it.
A few readers also sent emails asking things about specific parts in the film.
I recently turned their questions to Mr Gilmore who very kindly accepted to take some time to answer the Irenebrination’s readers questionnaire.
Most readers were very curious about the film's connections with Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and, hopefully, one day we will discover if Kubrick actually watched H2S before shooting his adaptation of Anthony Burgess‘ novel.
H2S - with its main characters moving in a bizarre world ruled by consumerism, power, technocracy, mind-control and dictatorial university lecturers - is a totally visionary film (please refer to the previous post to read more about it).
Critics said it was a sort of Alice in Wonderland-like allegory, but, considered as a poisonous and violent sci-fi fable (though it was actually a bitter satire upon society...), it was banned two days after it came out. Yet it would be definitely worth rediscovering it, its aesthetic, sets and costumes. Will we ever manage to see it re-released? Maybe. In the meantime, read Mr Gilmore’s answers and let’s all keep our fingers crossed with him.
How did you get involved in H2S?
Denis Gilmore: A friend of mine was up for the part of Tommaso and Roberto Faenza wanted to see him on screen, so he showed him a film that we did together a couple of years earlier. When Roberto saw me in the film, he said “That’s the boy I want!”. At the time I was working on a TV show in England, so I was flown out to Rome to meet Roberto and do a screen test and I ended up getting the part.
How was working with director Roberto Faenza?
Denis Gilmore: Roberto was quite young and this was only his second film, it was also quite a young crew, so we all got on really well, it was a lot of fun.
Where was the film shot?
Denis Gilmore: The film was mainly shot in Rome and a little bit in London while the snow scenes were on Monte Bianco in Courmayeur.
Which was the most bizarre thing that happened to you on the set?
Denis Gilmore: When I tried to hang myself in the film I actually passed out and only when they lifted me to take the tension off my neck I woke up…
What do you remember about working with Paolo Poli (starring as the college founder and Tommaso's bride at the end of the film), a famous Italian theatre actor?
Denis Gilmore: Paolo was great to work with, a real professional spending hours in the make up chair everyday to get aged for his part and doing it without a single complaint.
In the film there are quite a few elements that somehow call to mind the atmospheres and moods in A Clockwork Orange, do you know if Kubrick ever saw this film?
Denis Gilmore: I don’t know if Kubrick saw the film, but with so many similarities I can only assume that he did.
Did you ever see the final movie after you finished shooting it?
Denis Gilmore: I only got to see the film recently when you sent me a copy.
So what did you think about H2S after seeing it?
Denis Gilmore: I thought H2S was very good, though it was way before its time maybe, and that’s why it got banned. I’m in the process of trying to persuade a well-known director and film historian to do something with the film, so fingers crossed!
What are you up to at the moment?
Denis Gilmore: I’m still in the film industry, on both sides of the camera!
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