PRESS CONFERENCE
LARRY CLARK, ED LACHMAN, TIFFANY LIMOS
This year, in the framework of the New Horizons section, the 43rd International Thessaloniki Film Festival hosts the two prominent directors of the film Ken Park. In their press conference given today, the director of New Horizons, Dimitri Eipides, welcomed and presented photographer and director Larry Clark, renowned cinematographer Ed Lachman and actress Tiffany Limos. "They are distinguished artists, well-known in their field. Their film's screening is among the first in Europe", said Mr. Eipides.

About Ken Park
In reference to his film, director Larry Clark explained how his film is based on people he has actually met: "Some of the film's characters are based on some of my friends. They're real people and I wanted to tell their story by making this film. I met Ed Lachman in 1989 and told him that I wanted to make the film and was looking for funds. He suggested that we do it together. We agreed that the film would be based on the story I had in mind. However, in 1995 I decided to make Kids and so I focused on that. We entrusted the screenplay to Harmony Korine. Finally, in 1996 we secured the funds. It wasn't easy since we wanted to avoid playing the conventional games. We didn't want to go by the rules that dictate what you can or can't do. We wanted an emotionally and visually honest film; a film whose vision would comport with its emotional virtue".

Larry Clark was asked if childhood and films that deal with the topic inspire him. "I don't have a fixation with childhood, just with my work. I just think that childhood is important for us all, since it forges our adulthood. We all have stories to tell about our childhood and my job is to tell stories".

Ed Lachman, the film's other director added: "We agreed on the screenplay on our way to where we would shoot the film. Every morning we decided on the day's agenda. We tried to avoid imposing the roles on the actors. We improvised a lot and wanted a relaxed environment".

Actress Tiffany Limos claimed that the actors were aware of what they were getting into: " We all knew about it and weren't surprised. We had a lot of fun working together. I think that the mixture of professional and amateur actors worked very well. Ed and Larry are remarkable directors and it was a great opportunity for me to work with them".

Violence in Clark's films
Many of Clark's films have references to violence. The director commented on this saying: "Many people ask me why my films are so violent and especially Ken Park. The truth is, though, that Ken Park only has one shooting and two stabbings. On a daily basis we are bombarded by films, and even cartoons, with multiple killings and exploding bombs. I expose reality, and violence is very real. I try to drape my films with real feelings and violence happens to be one of them". Commenting on the subject, Ed Lachman added: "We're talking about emotional violence in the film. In a way, everyone is a victim. It's not that parents are bad and children are good. Parents are responsible for raising their children but children also have responsibilities. We're all responsible for our actions. The films troubles us because we realise our own emotional violence".

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