Gunnar Hansen on "Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre"

By Denise Kaminsky

Hello Gunnar, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to talk with you. Please tell me about yourself.

I was born in Reykjavik, Iceland. At the age of five my family moved us to a small-town on the coast of Maine. Then we moved to Austin, Texas, where I attended high school. After graduation I attended the University of Texas.

Where did inspiration come from when you decided you wanted to be an actor/writer?

I really didn't plan to become an actor or get involved with films, but during the summer of 1973, I found out that some filmmakers in Austin, Texas, were planning to make a horror film titled "Leatherface" (which later became "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"), and they were looking for someone to act as the killer. I tried out and got the part.

Regarding the soon to be released horror film "Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre", what is your role in the film and can you tell me a little about the film?

I play Captain Petur, who has a converted fishing trawler that takes people on low-budget whale watching trips. During the trip no one is seeing any whales. When we get into trouble, a rescue boat finally arrives and everyone is moved to another ship where things begin to go awry and the horror begins.

The film was shot off Reykjavik Harbor in Iceland during August and September of 2008. Though the weather was good generally, we did have a couple of nights of wild weather.

Is there a tentative release date and where will it premiere?

The film will premieres on September 3rd, 2009, in Reykjavik, Iceland. http://www.kisi.is/

Will RWWN be submitted to any film festivals?

Yes, that is a possibility in the near future. I am hoping it will play in several festivals in the US as well.

One more question: what do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy photography and sailing. I also write screenplays and books. One of my books is titled "Islands at the Edge of Time," available at Amazon.com.

I would like to thank Gunnar for taking the time to speak with me and best wishes on RWWM and his other projects.

Gunnar has also just finished a role in a film called "Won Ton Baby" where he played Dr. Kurt Severson.
http://www.fangoria.com/home/indie-frights/3204-first-news-exclusive-trailer-for-won-ton-baby.html

For more information on Gunnar and his craft go to:
http://www.gunnarhansen.com/& http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0360815/.

Please be sure to check out the RWWM trailer.

Denise Kaminsky has freelanced in News and television production in Los Angeles and New York. She is popular with actors, actresses, directors, musicians and writers, because of her thoughtful, in-depth interviewing style. Contact Denise at Entertainment News website or through NewsBlaze.