Better director than actor: Ben Affleck

From writing to directing to acting to producing, Hollywood hottie Ben Affleck seems like a one-man army on a mission. Well, at least the premise of his films including the upcoming Argo indicate that. The Oscar-winner admits that portraying the political scene was a challenge. “I definitely had the sense that I had a very strong ethical obligation to tell the story truthfully because, among other reasons, it has resonance to things that are going on today,” he says in an e-mail interview with After Hrs. 

How easy or tough is it to direct oneself?
I like acting for myself as a director. I act and I know that I’ll have a chance to have some say in what gets used and that I’ll be able to give myself enough takes and be on the same page as myself about how the scene should play. You can do anything you want. You can walk off-camera. You can have Tourette’s Syndrome. It doesn’t matter. Anything might be good, and I also afford myself that same luxury.

As a director, how would you rate yourself as an actor and as an actor how would you rate yourself as a director?
That’s a tough one! If I have to rate myself as an actor I would give a six on ten and as a director seven on ten. Interestingly, that makes me a better director than an actor (laughs).

How much do awards mean to you?
It’s rewarding for me if the audience pays for their tickets to watch the film and goes back satisfied.

Is it difficult to keep the pressures of being in the public eye as a couple in check?
Both Jen (actor Jennifer Garner) and I have great trust, respect and love for each other which helps us   keep going.

Are you aware of Indian culture or Bollywood?
Absolutely, I am well-versed with Indian culture and Bollywood. I love watching Bollywood films. In fact, I would like to visit India with my family soon.

Would you consider any offers here?
Sure, if I find a good script to make a film based in India, I would love to give it a shot.

What is the challenge of making a film like Argo that’s based on true events?
We made sure to stay true to the spine and the heart of the story. The fact that six Americans were in the American embassy when it was taken over, escaped, hid out with the Canadians, and were rescued by an operative of the CIA who conspired with his Oscar-winning makeup-artist friend to disguise them as a movie crew is absolutely true. The problem is that you have a story with so much detail in it, it would have to be a 10-hour movie. Stuff gets compressed just to make it watchable and to expedite the story.