http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter Your #1 resource on the latest Kuno Interviews. en kunoonline kunoonline Tue, 30 May 2006 03:09:07 +0200 daily 1 It’s easy to see why Kuno Becker is an international star in the Hispanic television market. His smoldering good looks and smooth style give him that certain star quality. Now, he’s breaking into the U.S. market with his new film, Goal! The Dream Begins , the first of a trilogy of films about soccer. Becker plays Santiago, a Mexican-American soccer player who gets his big break playing for England’s Newcastle United team. Becker chats with us about making the film and the rigorous training he had to endure in order to perfect all those cool soccer moves. Hollywood.com: How did they find you for this movie? Was it a competitive audition process? Kuno Becker: Man, it was the most difficult thing in the world. Not only competitive, but also soccer-wise was really, really hard. I didn’t play a lot of soccer when I was a kid. I did play when I was in school but nothing professional. So I had to do a couple of auditions, like normal auditions, and then when I got the role, or at... Tue, 30 May 2006 03:09:07 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/with-goal-the-dream-begins-star-kuno-becker/19/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/with-goal-the-dream-begins-star-kuno-becker/19/ Everyone has goals, everyone has dreams; for Santiago Munez, his dream was to grow up and play professional soccer. He got to live out that in the new Disney film, Goal! The Dream Begins starring Kuno Becker as Santiago. Crossing over the US border from Mexico at age 7, Santiago worked his way up from nothing to playing soccer for one of the most recognizable clubs in the world - Newcastle United. In the first part of the trilogy of Goal!, you see Santiago's progression and migration from Los Angeles to England. We had the chance to speak with Kuno about his role in this film; a Mexican actor, he was chosen out of hundreds - and to top that off, he's not a soccer player. So how did he live out his dreams? Check out the trials and tribulations that led him to star in one of this summer's uplifting films. Here's what he had to say: Since you're not a soccer player, are you at least a soccer fan? Kuno Becker: I have to admit, I wasn't a huge soccer fan; I did play a little when I was in school. I... Mon, 29 May 2006 23:55:46 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/INTERVIEW-EXCLUSIVE-kuno-becker-kicks-off-goal-the/18/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/INTERVIEW-EXCLUSIVE-kuno-becker-kicks-off-goal-the/18/ You've now seen the previews and likely have read a review or two of the movie Goal! The Dream Begins , which opens on Friday, May 12 throughout the U.S. It's not often that an idea for a movie about soccer gets green-lighted in Hollywood. When it does happen, it's usually more about kids in the suburbs with quirky dads as coaches, such as the forgettable Kicking & Screaming -- a movie that even the comic genius of Will Farrell couldn't save -- and Ladybugs . Goal! promises to be a movie for the general audience and not just soccer fans, as it tells the story of Santiago Munez, who makes his way from playing in the streets of Mexico and Los Angeles to actually getting a tryout with Newcastle United in England. It's the typical come-from-nothing tale about an underdog that is usually prevalent in sports movies, whether it's Rocky , Seabiscuit or, most recently, Cinderella Man . Recently, I caught up with Kuno Becker, the 28-year-old actor who plays Santiago Munez in the film. Despite... Mon, 29 May 2006 23:19:15 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/Q-A-with-kuno-becker/17/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/Q-A-with-kuno-becker/17/   When the photos of Kuno Becker rolled into the office a sudden pause drifted across the room as we each imagined being the droplets of water spraying over those overly defined abs. Then we were told he was coming to New Zealand and was to go on a date with one of our readers. How I cursed the rule that we aren’t allowed to enter our own competitions! But not one to give up at the first sign of a struggle I convinced my editor that, being the only single girl in the office, it was my job, nah my duty, to get an interview with this man. And that’s just what I did. Kuno is the star of the movie GOAL!, a trilogy based on a Mexican immigrant’s rise to soccer fame in England. The movie was made with full FIFA backing so is about as close to the world of professional soccer as it can get. All but the main actors are professional football players, the footage is taken from actual games and it was shot at the Newcastle United training grounds. The story takes you on a journey that starts... Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:37:06 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/LET-S-DATE-KUNO-BECKER/16/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/LET-S-DATE-KUNO-BECKER/16/ - You’ve just got back from Barcelona where you were shooting an Adidas commercial with David Beckham, what was that like? (laughs) That’s meant to be confidential but it seems everyone already knows about it. Adidas has been really supportive as have a load of big companies for the film so it’s really a tie-in for the film’s advertising campaign. - As this is the first film to be backed by the FA, did that come with any constrictions? Not really, they were very supportive giving us access to the stadiums and matches as well as the players. We used footage from actual matches and we couldn’t have done that with out their help. - Before getting the part, were you a big football fan? No not really. I had to train for several months to become the character. It was a beautiful transisition but also painful. I broke both my ankles and my nose , but it helped me to become the character. - This is your first really big movie, are you nervous about how it will be received by audiences?... Sat, 15 Oct 2005 01:26:02 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/interview-with-footy-flick-star-kuno-becker/15/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/interview-with-footy-flick-star-kuno-becker/15/ There's something of the deer-trapped-in-the-headlights look about Kuno Becker as we meet him at the end of the first major press day in his career, but he's nonetheless keen to talk about Goal!, a film which promises to open many doors for the 27-year-old Mexican. In the film he plays Santiago Munez, a similarly deer-in-the-headlights young man who finds himself thrust into the cut-throat world of professional football at Newcastle United. How much did you know about football going in? I played in school when I was a kid, but I didn't want to be a football star. I didn't want to be a football player professionally. It was very interesting for me to be able to play this character because of that; it's very different for me. And that's really what I want to do as an actor; I want to try to change. I read the script and I thought it was beautiful. The most important thing about this script was that I knew the story was more important than the football. I mean I love football now, but it's... Sat, 15 Oct 2005 01:15:48 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/exclusive-interview-with-kuno-becker/14/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/exclusive-interview-with-kuno-becker/14/ Surrounded by free champagne and more meat pies than you could shake a stick at, Edward Vaughan-Hughes caught up with the gorgeous Kuno Becker at the Manchester premiere of Goal! while the Film Editor Rowan Woods valiantly held the dictaphone and desperately tried not to swoon. Are you nervous about how a nation of football fans will respond to Goal!? People’s response to the film has been great. I’m not a huge football fan, but I loved it because of the story. One of the great things about it is that all kinds of people will enjoy it – even women, which I didn’t think was going to happen, because it’s not just about football, it’s about the story and I think that’s great. We do have great football scenes, but this is football from a different point of view, from the inside, about the people, the feelings, the relationships – everything. Did you play football as a kid? I played for my school but I wasn’t a huge fan, I wasn’t the best one in the team, not even close!... Sat, 15 Oct 2005 01:09:06 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/kuno-becker-on-GOAL/13/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/kuno-becker-on-GOAL/13/ Mexican hot tamale Kuno Becker plays the rags to riches footie star Santiago Munez in Goal!, the first in a soccer trilogy set to make him an international heartthrob. But breaking his ankles while auditioning almost cost him the role he says... ... When I did the audition for the film they were like, `ok we know you can act, but can you play football?' And I was like `...yeah!' So they said `ok you're going to train for 3 weeks and at the end we'll see if you can do something with the ball.' And I trained so hard that I got stress fractures in both my ankles, and the doctor said `I hate to tell you this but you're never going to be a footballer!' So the day of the trial with Danny Cannon (director) - me play football? Forget it, I was kinda walking like John Wayne! So I couldn't do it, and Danny was very disappointed and I was too, and he was like `ok, go catch your plane back to LA. Bye!' So what happened next? When I was leaving the pitch I thought to myself `f*ck-it, I'm already... Sat, 15 Oct 2005 01:00:06 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/interview-with-kuno-becker/12/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/interview-with-kuno-becker/12/ How does an actor who has hardly ever played the game turn into a footballer? That was the task facing the star of Goal! - Kuno Becker. Fortunately he had help from ex-pro Andy Ansah, a man widely acknowledged as the best at transferring football onto the big screen. FIFA.com talks to Becker - and Ansah - the man who helped him recover from two broken ankles to playing with Beckham, Zidane, Raul and the rest….. FIFA.com: Kuno - How good a footballer were you before Goal! Kuno Becker: I am a terrible player! It's all thanks to Andy Ansah - I don't play football, but Andy made me look like I play. Without him there is no way I would have been able to do it. These guys have been doing this since they were three years old. How am I going to get there in four months? Training.  A lot of training! But we knew that if we didn't make the football scenes believable then the audience is not going to accept the story. The story is the most important thing, but if the football scenes... Sat, 15 Oct 2005 00:43:17 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/the-star-and-the-player-the-perfect-team/11/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/the-star-and-the-player-the-perfect-team/11/ Do you see any similarities in your own story to that of Santiago’s that you have used to bring him to life on screen? Of course we are similar, we both have dreams and aspirations which we chase but what I love about acting is that you have the opportunity to play someone who is completely different. It is great to go to work and play a character who reacts in different ways and make it convincing – that is what being an actor is all about. How have you approached Santiago knowing how his story will develop over the trilogy? I see the character in different stages. The first film sees a simple guy from LA trying to follow his dreams of being a professional footballer. The second film sees him living his dream and the third film shows Santiago going back to basics. The films will chart a career of a footballer and how he reacts as a person to his changing life. Do you think the hopes and dreams at the heart of this film will appeal beyond the world of football? Yes this film is great... Sat, 15 Oct 2005 00:15:42 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/Q-A-session-with-kuno-becker-goal/10/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/Q-A-session-with-kuno-becker-goal/10/ With motive of the promotion of the film Imagining Argentina, the mexican actor Kuno Becker, tells us, exclusively, the making of this dramatic and historic film. He is tells about the aspects of his character his experience working alongside Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson. -Your character is the most machiavellian of the story. At the time of approaching it, do you interpret it with out considering that this character is a villain. You know its a question I asked myself. Of course I can interpret it in 2 forms: or one person pretending to be a good person or one that is a good person, no? A good human being. I believe that one of the objectives as an actor is to try to be as real as possible, get close to reality, and that you have to be a good guy at the begining and the bad guy at the end, because I want the change to be very strong, if you take it as strange since the begining the character might not get to you when he tells the story of his sister or when he asks Antonio for... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:41:10 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-I-m-passionate-about-acting/9/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-I-m-passionate-about-acting/9/ The mexican actor made his entrance through the big door into international cinema thanks to "Lucia, Lucia". Recently Imagining Argentina has been released in Spain, with Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson. Kuno Becker presented the film in Madrid and CHC talked with him. Directed by Christopher Hampton (screenplay writer of Dangerous Relations and director of titles like Carrington), "Imagining Argentina is a drama, starring Antonio Banderas, Emma Thompson, Kuno Becker and Leticia Dolera. In "Imagining Argentina", Carlos Rueda (Antonio Banderas) is a director of Children's Theatre, when the secret police of the argentine dictatorship kidnap his wife, he discovers he has a magical gift. He dreams awake, and clearly sees the destiny of those who have disappeared. Nevertheless, something prevents him to "imagine" what has happened to Cecilia, his wife, a journalist who dared to denounce the disappearances. On the verge of becoming crazy, he fights with the only weapons at his reach, weapons... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:37:37 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-the-release-imagining-argentina-madrid/8/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-the-release-imagining-argentina-madrid/8/ Owner of the modesty he disarms, this is how this mexican actor is, who turned down soap operas to succeed in Hollywood. We will see him in 2 films that are about to explode on to the big screen. First its Lucia, Lucia, which was a fabulous success in Mexico and Spain and his second film, Imagining Argentina, that recently flew although the way to the Cannes Film Festival for its release. Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson, and Kuno Becker's great talent assure this film's success and Kuno's success in his career, an actor with international experience. At age 19 Kuno recieved his first lead role in the mexican soap opera For All the Life [Para Toda La Vida], later followed by  Camila Dreamers [Soñadoras], Decieved Women [Mujeres Engañadas] and First Love 1000 Miles Per Hour [Primer Amor a Mil X Hora]. But it wasn't until Lucia, Lucia's release in Mexico, that made Kuno decide to gave a turn in his life and direct his steps into the world of filmmaking, where he is sure to succeed alongside big... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:36:06 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-interview-imagining-argentina/7/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-interview-imagining-argentina/7/ His life fits in a suitcase. Almost always he sleeps in a hotel, and a lot of the last year he spent it living in country that he had never heard of before. In one of his stops in this known land we ran into Kuno Becker, a nomad with a fixed destiny: in the world-wide cinema. Kuno what have you been doing? "Well talking a lot about my new film Imagining Argentina that talks about the argentine dictatorship between the yr 76 to 83, a real subject, painful, because the wounds are still open and a lot of families are still waiting". In this film you worked alongside Emma Thompson and Antonio Banderas, how did this film come to you? "I was invited to do a reading (lecture) and I did it; later 2 more, the last one was with Antonio and the director, and I was chosen. We went to Buenos Aires and Madrid. I knew the story superficially, I began to find out and I got more exited. Its a film with a soul, a film that doesn't try to be a box office hit, but instead to talk of excellent... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:34:43 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-with-the-big-stars/6/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-with-the-big-stars/6/ A drink is not enough for the mexican actor to document his agil biography that he has carried out in the 4th century of his life. His first boldness began at age 10, when he found himself in the Mozarteum of Salzburgo, perfecting his abilities as a violinist. Around that time, he spoke perfect german and soon learned english. He was in languages, when his interest in acting was born and that already ran through his veings (in some point, in his family tree he is related to Maria Felix.). Before he turned 18, he participated in an audition with more than 3 thousand aspiring young teens to enter the school The Center of Artistic Education of Mexico (CEA) and was in the handful of people chosen to be able to enroll in the school. That is how he began to conquer fans in soap operas like For all the Life [Para Toda La Vida], Camila, Dreamers [Soñadoras], Decieved Women [Mujeres Engañadas] and First Love 1000 Miles Per Hour [Primer Amor A Mil X Hora]. Although he also has experience in theater (in plays... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:33:49 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-in-hollywood-by-triple-game/5/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/KUNO-BECKER-in-hollywood-by-triple-game/5/ After filming Lucia, Lucia and Imagining Argentina, Kuno Becker has set out to continue conquering Hollywood. Yes Hollywood! Its because of this, that Kuno moved to L.A.  and from there the handsome actor shared with 'Por Ti' this new adventure in his life. Find out for yourself! Hey Kuno! It looks like the Hollywood enviornment has been good to you. True? Yes, I am very happy to be here, although I gotta confess that at first I felt sad, I missed my family. But the good thing is, that I have a cousin and several friends that live in L.A. With them near, I don't feel far away from home. During these past 5 months, what do you liked best from the United States? Its parks, here are a lot of green areas to exercise in. And have you decided to practice a sport? Um....no, the truth is I'm very lazy, but of course I am very good at tasting pasta, pizza and doughnuts! Mmmm, I am hungry! But you must have a past time for sure.... Of course! I... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:33:01 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/from-los-angeles-por-brings-you-the-latest/4/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/from-los-angeles-por-brings-you-the-latest/4/ Kuno Becker resisted to talk about his private life to the press, but he had to give in sometime; for the first time he decided to accept our challenge and we found out a lot of his most intimate secrets. Kuno you have always been a dreamer, how do you like to sleep? Kuno: "I like to sleep in boxers. And when its really hot I sleep on the rocks (naked), ha ha, ha!". You put ice there...? Kuno: No, it is in....thats just how its said...". A what age did you have your first sexual experience? Kuno: "Alright! Let me remember...At about 6, 7... No the truth was, that it was at the age when it had to be". What is the first thing that you notice or look for in a woman? Kuno: "Well, the truth, is that love is born from a glance, so why make fools of ourselves, and afterward, of course, the getting to know the person....but I also pay attention to a girl's butt, and a normal small waist. Kuno: "I HAVE HAD WET... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:31:24 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/intimate-interview-with-kuno-becker/3/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/intimate-interview-with-kuno-becker/3/ What does working on this project 'Lucia, Lucia' mean to you? KB: This project is the synonymous of quality, Argos has always made things very innovating, Antonio Serrano is a very successful person and that Lola Films distributes him, assures his position at an international level. Has it been difficult for you to adapt? KB: Absolutely, the people who are in here have an enormous affection to the project, everyone works hard and more because they believe in him, than the money, its people who are very dedicated to what they do, they are here because they really want to be here. What do you think of this opportunity that was offered to you, to have a lead role in your first film? KB: Its a big responsibility but it makes me feel good that they have confidence in me, that means my career is going well and through a good road, and I am considered to be at the height of these great actors, its definitely putting my capicity to approval, its a... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:28:58 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/interview-with-kuno-becker/2/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/interview-with-kuno-becker/2/ Kuno agreed to talk about his canibalistic feelings, the fear of the unknown and his desire to begin a new life. He wants to devour Mexican cinema and because of that you can find him filming, since almost 2 weeks ago in locations in the city of Mexico, 'Lucia, Lucia'. For everyone who participated, the film crew and the cast, its a story that has everything to succeed: A woman who discovers herself after losing her husband in an airport (Cecilia Roth), a young student who wants to be a part of life (Kuno Becker) and an old anarchist who believes he knows everything (Carlos Alvarez Novoa), as well as a director who wants to authenticate the success achieved with his prime opera, Sexo, Shame and Tears. And before the filming was done, Kuno agreed to talk to us about his canibalistic feelings, the fear of the unknown and his desire to begin a new life. In what moment of your life have you behaved like a canibal? Kuno Becker: At this moment, definitely. I'm an... Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:27:59 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/kuno-becker-shows-his-canibalistic-side/1/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/kbinter/kuno-becker-shows-his-canibalistic-side/1/