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'Hostel' - Jennifer Lim Q&A;

We catch up with the actress who stars as Kana in Eli Roth's latest horror gem.

Mar 23 2006

Jennifer Lim plays Kana in Eli Roth's latest splatterfest 'Hostel'. As she features in some of the films most unforgettable moments (and believe us - you'll know them when you see them), we thought we'd catch up with her to discuss working with horror's new golden boy, acting through prosthetic make-up and being tortured on film.

Are you a horror fan?

I think I am a horror fan though not exclusively so. I love Japanese and Korean horror films where they spook you out for days afterwards. There is something quite primal and carthartic about them.

How did you become involved in the film?

I had a call to go and audition for it. I sat in the waiting room waiting for my turn and all I heard was blood-curdling screams coming out of the casting suite. When it was my turn, all I had to do was scream!!!

Can you tell me a bit about the character that you play?

She is called Kana and she was described as a beautiful Japanese model though we don't really know what she does in the film. She's travelling with her friend Yuki and winds up in this hostel in Bratislava, doing what most young travellers do - partying and having a good time.

What were the most difficult scenes to film?

The most difficult stuff to do was to run around in a pair of high heels with partial vision as half my face was covered in burn makeup. Jay [Hernandez, who plays hero Paxton in the film] was great - he was always around to lend a hand. I felt physically handicapped.

Your character gets a pretty raw deal late on in the film – what was it like filming some of those more intense horror scenes?

It was depressing. For some reason, it really got to me and all I want is to cry.

Was it difficult acting through the prostetic make-up?

It wasn't difficult acting through the prosthetic makeup. If anything, it helps and enhances the performance. It was far more of a chore putting it on - it takes two hours to put it on and half an hour to remove it.

What was it like working with Eli?

It was a dream working with Eli. He's one of the most talented, passionate and generous directors I've met. The memory I have of him is him seeing me for the first time in the trailer - that was the first time we met and I'd just had my prosthetics done and he came up real close with a fanatical glint in his eyes and said 'Wow that is so beautiful' and his constant call for fake blood to 'juice it up'.

'Hostel' hits screens tomorrow.

User comments on this story

Cleo said...

I loved her inclusion in Hostel because she looked so different from the hotties used to bait the guys; her resemblance to Pumpkin in Last Geisha and last seen in The Limits of Control by Jim Jarmusch and the use of her resemblance but her actual Chinese ancestry to bring home the point that the unimprovable original Chinese were tortured by the likes of Takashi Miike during the Japanese World War efforts. Posted on Aug 13 2010 23:41

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Doug said...

Oh my gosh, your performance in Hostel, the original was magnificent!
You even had the Japanese accent down 100% when you tell Paxton and Josh about the text you recieved from Yuki and said "Your flend! My flend!"
Truly, a classic. Posted on Jun 05 2008 11:55

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Tim Wall said...

Hi Jennifer.. My favorite sceen in the movie was you on the dance floor smiling and I loved the part where you come running out of the Hostel to tell Paxton and Josh about the picture on your cam phone and you say "you friend, my friend" girl you a very talented actress and are headed for super stardom Posted on Nov 13 2007 17:51

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Alex said...

Jennifer,
I think your an amazing actress.
And you did a really god job, especially with your screams and the death of your character which brought me to tears throughout the rest of the movie. You should get a Myspace. Posted on Sep 23 2007 03:42

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Terrell Dixon said...

Hi Jennifer! I hope you are reading these, because I am really impressed with your acting skills in the film. I hope you begin to do more mainstream motion pictures soon, but in the next film, please dont die at the end because I wanted your character to live since you are the next main character in the film. Posted on Jun 17 2007 00:39

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Amber Lynn Blew said...

Are you really reading these??? If so, I want to tell you that you are my most favorite actress and the most beautiful actress I've ever seen! I wish I looked like you but sadly I'm an average blue-eyed caucasian girl :( :( :( . You are SO beautiful....even in burn makeup! Posted on Feb 13 2007 16:11

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Nicole Seelig said...

I was really impressed with your work, Jennifer. Never been disappointed by your on-screen performances.
Good Luck for future projects! :-) Posted on Oct 20 2006 12:43

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Anna ah Yee said...

Same as Zoelyn Lim Posted on Apr 05 2006 13:09

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Zoelyn Lim said...

Hi Jennifer,
Good Job! Fantastic.. You're Great! Posted on Mar 30 2006 19:25

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