Bana And The ‘Beast’

For the past 25 years actor Eric Bana has been the proud owner of a 1973 Ford GT Falcon Coupe that he calls the ‘Beast’. Along with his three best friends, he’s rebuilt the car numerous times and also races it. Love the Beast is his documentary about the relationship he and his friends have had with the car over the years, also delving into how the star almost lost everything during the the Targa Tasmania Rally, one of the most dangerous races in the world.

CityNews.ca spoke with Bana about the film, his directorial debut, and about the current state of the ‘Beast’.

Why did you decide to make ‘Love the Beast’ now?

As someone who really loves their hobby — in my case racing cars and working on cars — I felt like I’ve been treated not well by movies… up until now if they threw in a car chase and a hot chick [they thought] we’d be happy because that’s what cars are all about. The essence of what I experienced, as someone who really loves cars and working on them and hanging out with people who are like-minded, hadn’t really been recognized.

Were your friends and family supportive of the project?

Absolutely. I don’t think they understood the scale of what I was trying to make until it was finished but they were intrigued and supportive.

Was there any aspect of your life off-limits in the film?

Basically anything that was relative to the story of my life with this car was on-limits and anything that was not relevant was completely off-limits. I was never really uncomfortable with that side of it. If it had been someone else directing and having access to my friends the film would never have been made. I didn’t really have a choice but to do that myself because there is no way they would have been involved [otherwise].

Are people surprised when they hear you race cars?

Most people in Australia know that I do this so it’s only overseas that it’s a little bit of a surprise to people.

Was the accident documented in the film physically or emotionally more painful?

Definitely emotionally. It’s a huge sense of relief. I know that sounds weird but when you do those types of events you are really faced with a lot of carnage and I’ve been involved in a lot of accident scenes during rallies where we’ve pulled drivers out of wrecks and cars that are on fire and things like that. More than anything I was relieved that my navigator, my best friend, was okay.

Were you disappointed at the damage that was done to the ‘Beast’?

I never really thought I would hurt that car and that I would put it in harm’s way. You lead yourself into a false sense of security of what can and can’t happen in that sort of circumstance and I was in complete denial of the real dangers of entering a car like that in that kind of event and I should have known better.

You liken working on your car to a “campfire” for you and your friends. Do you think that has kept you grounded since becoming a Hollywood star?

I think it’s important for anyone. I don’t think it matters what you do. It’s been a godsend for me and is something that has always given me something to do and go back to. It’s always been healthy for me.

Any interest in directing again?

I would only be interested in directing my own material…I have a couple of small ideas. Who knows? I would like to do it again one day.

What is the status of your car now?

It sat around for a long time before I touched it. It’s about three-quarters of the way back to being fixed. It’s had all its major surgery and is ready to be painted and brought home for the long, pleasurable task of reassembling it.

Will you ever race it again?

It will go back on the track but its days of rallies are over. I haven’t stopped and still really enjoy it.

What do you hope the audience gets out of the film?

I really love documentaries and I love it when I see a documentary about a subject I don’t know much about, that I thought I knew about but actually don’t. I hope it surprises people and opens their eyes and makes them realize that these relationships they saw their friends having with a car is about something else than what they thought it was about.

Love the Beast is available on DVD July 20, 2010.

brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com

Top image: A scene from Love the Beast. Courtesy Mongrel Media.