When the Criminal Underworld Collides in Pusher: An Interview with Mem Ferda

Luis Prieto's Pusher is a remake of Nicolas Winding Refn's previous film of the same name. Refn's original film released in 1996 to Danish audiences. The latest version was shot in the United Kingdom and a release date is looming.

In Prieto's film, actor Mem Ferda (The Devil's Double) plays Hakan. He is a bully and a thug. Frank, played by Richard Coyle, is at the heart of the film and Frank is a mid-level drug dealer. The story gets complicated when Frank buys drugs from a higher level buyer. Later, he cannot pay his drug debt and this leads him on a collision course with Ferda's character, Hakan.

In the interview below, Ferda talks a little bit more about his role and his experience working on the seedier side of London. Have a listen to the interview, with Pusher set to launch in the United Kingdom shortly.

(Michael Allen) In the film Pusher you play Hakan. Can you tell readers a little bit about your character. How does he relate to the protagonist Frank played by Richard Coyle?

(Mem Ferda) "Hakan is a ‘sweet- badass’. He works for Milo as an enforcer, collecting overdue debts. Those failing to pay have their kneecaps cut out as consequence. That said; he is not your stereo-typical villain, but one who is rather complex. He has a conscience about his actions. He is entombed in this life of crime, when he would rather have his own legitimate business.

Hakan identifies and has a certain empathy for Frank, for he too is a man trapped and slowly declining to a life of hell on earth. On many occasions, Hakan warns Frank to pay his debt to Milo. Otherwise he will leave Hakan no choice but to torture him…

(MA) How did director Luis Prieto capture the the realism of the drug culture and counter-culture in London? How did you bring that realism to your character?

(MF) "Luis is a remarkable director. He depicts a very accurate, and real portrayal of ‘drug – culture’ in London. The look and feel of the film is very different compared to the original, which had a documentary type feel and look to it. This remake is more similar in look and feel to Luis’s previous Italian films. I feel it has a very European feel to it.

The script is very well written, so the general foundations for my character were there on the page. Bringing the realism meant having a deep understanding of the dilemmas of my character and I worked with Luis to carefully draw out and understand the predispositions of the character. This made Hakan very real."

(MA) In another interview, you mentioned how you researched your role by reading of United Kingdom immigration. What did you discover about immigration across the United Kingdom?

(MF) "The majority of the scenes which involved my character Hakan, were filmed in areas of London where there is a large Turkish Population. And because my character is Turkish, I was curious to find out some facts about immigration to give a more complete picture to my character and his background.

I learnt that as of 2011, there wereabout 500,000 Turkish Nationals living in the UK. This also accounts for British born persons who have Turkish parents. Around 150,000 came from mainland Turkey in search of work and they now reside in London."

(MA) What was the most exciting aspect for you in filming Pusher?

(MF) "I was excited to be filming on a remake of a movie, which I had always loved. I’ve always be a fan of Nicholas Winding Refn’s work, so it was surreal to be working on a remake of his classic cult film and for him to be onboard as executive producer. I was also excited to be working on a Vertigo Films Production, as they have made some spectacular movies over the years."

5) What roles will you be starring in throughout 2012 and in to 2013?

"I am lucky to have a few projects lined up. The first is a psychological horror film entitled Parallel Hell, which we start filming in June. I play a lead role.

Then soon after I will be filming Gridiron UK a comedy about a British guy who decides to set up his own Amercian Football team in the UK. Then in 2013, I start filming again in a lead role on a action/thriller about a couple on the run from a Irish crime boss. This is then followed by another film, A Place Between, a drama about a wildlife photographer. So there is a lot to look out for!"

Well, good luck with your upcoming projects. There are lots of thriller fans here on 28DLA and I know they will support the film!

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