Alex Craig Mann answers some questions about "Barry"

1. Barry is a modern day Sammy Glick (Bud Schulberg's What Makes Sammy Run). He is an extremely ambitious young man with enough chutzpah to motivate an entire army of half-baked high school students to run a marathon. Barry will do what it takes to get what he wants and what he wants is to create his own projects with his name above the title. Though he is in Cannes in service to Rick Yorkin, he is constantly on the lookout for his "big chance".

2. This character is in everyone. Who can't relate to being young, driven by your ego and the belief that you can and will do anything you put your mind to? Barry sees a very clear goal and will chase it to his last dying breath. He loves his dream that much. Unfortunately, his dream becomes an obsession, and the pursuit pathological. Many people I've observed in my life, including myself, have these traits. This is what I drew upon to create the character.

3. The evolution of Barry was amazing. Henry Jaglom is a man of extraordinary impulses. When I arrived in Cannes I wasn't sure what my involvement in the film would be. Zack Norman, who brought me to Henry for the role, suggested I just hang around the set every day. The theory was that if I were somewhere in Henry's line of sight he'd put me in front of the camera and then I'd get my chance...and that¹s exactly what happened. I hung around, waited patiently, every once in a while I'd throw out an idea, and he'd give me a shot. I think he had no idea if I'd work out or not. After the first couple of takes I believe I won him over and he began to evolve my story line. I had no idea it would turn out so well.

4. I just want to go on record that I believe that Barry is genuine and believes that he is doing the right thing by everyone all the time. He may cross an ethical boundary here and there, but he'll make himself and the person he¹s crossing feel good about it.

5. Barry will go to great lengths for his dream. He¹ll endure grunt work, carrying bags for Rick Yorkin as a means to an end. He'll soak up information like a sponge until the well is dry, and then, when the time is right, he'll look to leap to the next level. In the film, his time is now! Bleu is his big chance. His journey is similar to mine. I've done endless money gigs like waitering or being a concierge at a private dining club where I served the Mayor and the President of the United States.

6. I've been acting for 13 years, nearly half my life. Part of what I love about this work is that you're never done. There is always something new to explore. This is what the best do, which is why I've sought them out. So far I've worked with Frank Oz and Terry Gilliam, two astoundingly creative minds, and now Henry Jaglom. These three are my first professional film directors and that's a beginning I'm proud of.

7. Shooting in the middle of the Festival was a dream come true. I literally dreamt of doing a film in France. I love France and have a familiarity with the language. So, when this dream manifested I was just walking on air for weeks. I loved it!

8. I pursued this film to work with Maximilian Schell and Henry Jaglom. Henry for his innovative filmmaking and Max because he's one of my acting Gods. Schell, Brando, and Clift are actors whose work have and will stand the test of time. They were the best! So, the fact that I got to hang out with Max and talk to him and to pick his brain and to hear him tell stories about Brando and Clift is one of the most wothwhile experiences I've ever had. How many can say that they¹ve sat at a table with Maximilian Schell and Henry Jaglom while they reminisced about their experiences in art? Not many!