Pool Scene

[snakefind]

I didn't want to start a new thread about this, but I found this quote from an interview with the director quite interesting:

For me, the preceding pool scene is his fantasy. He actually dies here. In reality, he would die. Instead, he leaves.

Now, it is clear from other interviews that both the book author and the director both interpret their own endings as a happy one where Oskar survives and all that. But this quote seems to directly contradict that for the director at least.

Does anyone know if the director has later clarified this comment?

[bore]

I didn't want to start a new thread about this, but I found this quote from an interview with the director quite interesting:

For me, the preceding pool scene is his fantasy. He actually dies here. In reality, he would die. Instead, he leaves.

Now, it is clear from other interviews that both the book author and the director both interpret their own endings as a happy one where Oskar survives and all that. But this quote seems to directly contradict that for the director at least.

Does anyone know if the director has later clarified this comment?

Not that I am aware of and I'd be surprised if he did.

From all I have seen it was TA's intention to leave some things open for interpretation. If he were to actually state how he interprets the movie then that would reduce the viewers options for own interpretation.
I think he stated the possibility that Eli is just a creature of Oskars imagination to inform of a non-obvious interpretation of the ending where no-one shows up to save Oskar.

[snakefind]

I'm fairly sure I read that the film director meant it to be a happy ending with Oskar not merely becoming Eli's provider of blood. JAL has also stated the same, and the epilogue does show what happened in the book author's mind... But maybe the film director isn't as clear on the ending as JAL.

[intrige]

The fact that Håkan also is someone you can deside. (Rather if he is a pedophile or not) gives the ending more of a... Surcle, if you wan it to.. In the book it's 100% clear that Eli is not looking for children to be her future protecturs, because Håkan was found as an grown up. We don't get to know that fact in the film, and therefore, with that pice gone. The whole picture of the film might look different if you want it to be that way.
That's what I think at least..
To me, I never saw it as a bad ending, for me Oskar and Eli went off. And inside my head Eli turned Oskar and they lived together forever.

[TigerEyes]

The fact that Håkan also is someone you can deside. (Rather if he is a pedophile or not) gives the ending more of a... Surcle, if you wan it to.. In the book it's 100% clear that Eli is not looking for children to be her future protecturs, because Håkan was found as an grown up. We don't get to know that fact in the film, and therefore, with that pice gone. The whole picture of the film might look different if you want it to be that way.
That's what I think at least..
To me, I never saw it as a bad ending, for me Oskar and Eli went off. And inside my head Eli turned Oskar and they lived together forever.

I see the ending as a happy ending myself. Even though i see possible obstacles in their way, but i thought, "Life is an obstacle, no matter what." So it's a happy ending for me.

[Nightrider]

I see the ending as a happy ending myself. Even though i see possible obstacles in their way, but i thought, "Life is an obstacle, no matter what." So it's a happy ending for me.

Agree. It's a happy ending with great deal of possible obsticles in the future. As they say: Life is something that happens, while you making plans.

[shaggles]

Also, Oskar was completely blue, his situation was more dire than the movie indicated.

Yeah. The threat of violence is much more real in the book. In the movie I never really believed Conny or Jimmy would actually kill Oskar but in the book I did.

[shaggles]

I didn't want to start a new thread about this, but I found this quote from an interview with the director quite interesting:

For me, the preceding pool scene is his fantasy. He actually dies here. In reality, he would die. Instead, he leaves.

Now, it is clear from other interviews that both the book author and the director both interpret their own endings as a happy one where Oskar survives and all that. But this quote seems to directly contradict that for the director at least.

Does anyone know if the director has later clarified this comment?

That is a very interesting take on it. I don't think the book supports it but maybe it doesn't have to.

[Alaska]

I didn't want to start a new thread about this, but I found this quote from an interview with the director quite interesting:

For me, the preceding pool scene is his fantasy. He actually dies here. In reality, he would die. Instead, he leaves.

Now, it is clear from other interviews that both the book author and the director both interpret their own endings as a happy one where Oskar survives and all that. But this quote seems to directly contradict that for the director at least.

Does anyone know if the director has later clarified this comment?

I find that thought extremely sad.

[thestich]

About 6:50 into the behind the scenes video (on Youtube below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFhkBVmzDlY

The director states that he sees this as a happy ending. Note that he says it can be seen otherwise!!!

Love a movie that has the guts to not "spell it out".