Rutger Hauer brings the Flying Dutchman back to life in the Gaastra campaign a/w 2015
He played an ill-fated replicant in Ridley Scott's 'Blade Runner,' was awarded a Golden Globe for his work in 'Sobibor' and now embodies Barend Fokke, the legendary 'Flying Dutchman,' in the current campaign of maritime lifestyle label Gaastra. In the J'N'C interview the Hollywood actor reveals how the cooperation came about, what it was like to shoot with superstar Bryan Adams, and why his childhood aspirations of becoming a captain were abruptly cut short at age 15.
Mr. Hauer, how did the cooperation with Gaastra come about?
The way they approached and presented the whole idea really appealed to me, but since it was at the end of my stay in Friesland I thought we just could not be able to do it. I was pleased when Gaastra came back to me and I thought the fun part was the little movie they had add to the idea and also the fact that the shooting could take place in LA. It all sounded so great and I really could feel the energy, therefore I choose to do it.
Bryan Adams, the photographer of the campaign is a famous rock singer. How is it to work with him?
It’s just great; especially the film we sort of almost wrote it together and we created the whole thing from scratch. I think we both gambled and we were just not sure if it was going to be anything, but ever since the start of our collaboration we have been on the same pace. The whole process was really organic and it felt really great. It is so playful and chances like this you don’t get that much, so I really hope that it turns out well.
You said: "When I was fifteen I went to sea but my career as a captain was short-lived. However my passion for sailing has endured.” Why your career as captain was short-lived? What happened then?
As a teenager I had no idea what the hell to do in life. I thought about becoming a pilot or a captain, but I´m color blind – it wrecks your chances on ships and planes. The only grandfather I ever met when I was five years old was a captain. Long after my mother passed away, I learned that there was a long line of sailing men in her family over three centuries. So that day spent off the Californian coast where I earned the respect from the ship´s crew was a spectacular experience. I was all ocean and wind, which most sailors are…
There are several the Flying Dutchman adaptations, e.g. Richard Wagner's opera or recently in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Which one is your favorite and why?
The one by Gaastra of course. Seriously, blame my lack of imagination but if there is a ship involved I´ll buy the story anytime (laugh).
According to the legend, if the Flying Dutchman hailed by another ship, the crew will send messages to land. What is your message then?
„This is Houston. Do you read me?“
“Yes, Houston. I read you loud and clear!”
“What´s next?”
“Yes, Houston. That would be: W-I-N-D.”
Thank you for talking to us.
