THE BFG: The Experience of Talking to a Giant like Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg’s latest film THE BFG (now in theaters) tells the story of a little girl named Sophie and an old giant, whom together embark on a charming and colorful adventure.

I was the one that felt like a tiny “human bean” when I had the incredibly opportunity to be part of a roundtable-style interview with the iconic director.

Before Spielberg’s turn, I had the chance to ask the Academy Award Winner Mark Rylance about his reaction while watching his titular character onscreen. “It’s very painful to watch films that I am in” he said. “This one was nicely distant. It was the most expensive make-up job I have ever had. Millions!”

When the best filmmaker alive entered the room with Ruby Barnhill (Sophie), my colleagues and I did the best to pretend that we were “cool.” But it was impossible to not think that the man in front of us was responsible for groundbreaking and timeless movies that have shaped us from an early age.

His polite manners and thoughtful responses proved once again something that I learned after being in the presence of living legends like Al Pacino or Ben Kingsley: The most talented they are, the nicer they are.

I had picked my question hours before: “Do you think that a movie can make someone a better person. And, if so, was that ever one of your goals?” A big question for a big interviewee, right?

But while answering a colleague of mine Spielberg went into a similar territory with his answer so I decided to go with something else. Anything else, honestly. I just wanted “to have a moment” with the master.

Minutes passed, some colleagues didn’t want to share him, and I started to feel like one of the angry, ugly giants that bully the poor BFG in the movie.

Someone asked something to Barnhill and the always dreaded “Final question!” was uttered by one of publicists. Then silence. I felt like the end credits started to role and I was going back home in defeat.

But, following THE BFG’s messages of fighting for your dreams and being brave, I found the courage to break protocol:

“Mr. Spielberg, very briefly, this film is on a huge canvas, but the theatrical experience may be lost in the future due to new technology. How much do you care about the way people experience your movies?”

He answered “I prefer to see movies on the big screen. Go and see [The BFG] on the biggest screen you can find. That’s what I really want. I am not a fan of watching on the small screen. Although, I would watch a classic movie made 75 years ago on my iPad. But, I’ve got the new iPad Pro that has a bigger screen!” and we all laughed.

Like the alchemist he is, he turned a so-so question into a great answer. Another unforgettable experience courtesy of the bigger and friendlier storyteller of our time.

THE BFG is now playing nationwide, starring Barnhill, Rylance, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader, and Jemaine Clement.

A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers refuses to eat boys and girls.