Q&A with Actor Armen Garo

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Actor: Armen Garo
Role: Serzhant

Q: What attracted you to working on 'Under Jakob's Ladder'?
The main attraction was the script's historical authenticity. This was a story worthy of being told because it is a story whose lessons we never seem to learn. That there is no place for man's inhumanity to man. But we never seem to learn, so such stories are never without merit.

Q: How did you prepare for your role?
I started with a short haircut and spent a month wearing clothes that depicted some type of order, some uniformity. I let the rest happen naturally.

Q: How did you identify with your character?
A: I've worked with and for people who were psychologically similar to Serzhant. A repugnant and heartless clown.

Q: What was your favorite line of dialogue from the movie?
A: I had to order prisoners to stop and the script called for it to be done in Russian. It took time for me to learn it, but I enjoyed it.

Q: What was the most challenging scene for you?
A: They were all challenging. But from the perspective of seeing what the other actors were enduring in terms of inhabiting the hardships of a concentration camp, those actors were especially diligent in creating for themselves such misery.

Q: What did you enjoy the most about working on this film?
A: The most enjoyable part of working on this film was the level of passionate commitment from all of the cast and crew. I was quite proud to be a part of this work. The experience that everyone brings to this piece is quite impressive.

Q: Tell about working with the cast/crew.
A: When I first spoke to Robert, I was moved by the story he wanted to tell about his great-grandfather, the story upon which this film is based. The story of human depravity is one that merits repeating until it ceases and the manner in which Robert conveyed to me convinced me this was a worthy film to be a part of. Both Robert and Mann, to their credit, were always sure to be on the same page during production and were both easily accessible when it came to a matter of authentic detail or any other matter of continuity. I'd recommend them and their team to anyone. I'd consider myself lucky if I had a chance to work with them again. This cast was exceptional. It's rare to have been able to work with such a large group of artists who were so committed to their work product. Jeff Stewart was such a gracious presence. I think people are going to like this.

Q: Do you have any funny stories or anecdotes?
A: We filmed at an old farm house. The only thing I recall was that we had to stop filming every time one of the roosters took an interest in one of the hens back in the coop. No manners! What a racket!

Q: How did you get your start in film?
A: The first film I did was called 'The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski' in which I played the role of her brother Stosh Cosnowski. It was quite exciting to work with the film's writer, Jean Shepherd (who also wrote 'A Christmas Story'). My initial understanding of filmmaking came from him.

Q: Who inspires you as an actor?
A: Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro are probably the reasons I became an actor. I like to say that rather than play a role, I inhabit the life of the person the role is based upon. That can be traced to these two actors as initial influences. My inspirations come from those with whom I have contact or have had a chance to observe. Most of them aren't actors.