Lucia: The first question is… What is Gogol Bordello for you?
Elijah: What are they? To me?
Lucia: Yeah.
Elijah: Hm-m-m… Well, family… friends… and, I don't know, probably one of the greatest live bands I've ever seen now. And I think what they do is necessary, because it brings a sense of life and sort of a positive energy to people around the world. In fact they are multicultural and trying to reach out other cultures and I think it's really important. But to me personally they are my friends and I am proud to be involved in their worlds as a friend.
Lucia: And when did you find them?
Elijah: Well, I worked with Eugene on a film called "Everything is illuminated". And I hadn't heard of the band before that. And then obviously when I met Eugene we became friends on that. Then I heard the music of the band, and I've known them ever since.
Lucia: When you were in this film, you were in Ukraine for the first time?
Elijah: We actually shot the film in the Czech Republic, we shot it in Prague, we didn't shoot it in Ukraine, so I've never been to Ukraine.
Lucia (surprised): You've never been to Ukraine?
Eelijah: No… no…
Lucia: Oh, that's interesting place!
Elijah: I know, I know, I need to go.
Lucia (after pause): Gosh!
Elijah (scared): No…
Lucia: The next question was…
Elijah (more scared): Oh, no…
Lucia: …about Ukraine…
Elijah (screaming and smiling): Oh, no! NO!
Lucia: That's Ok. What is this film for you?
Elijah: Illuminated? "Everything is Illuminated"?
Lucia: Yep! Is this film about Ukrainian and Western mentalities?
Elijah: It is but it's also just about connecting with your roots, and where you come from, and, I think we can all relate that on some level, whether or not, we've taken a journey like that and, gone to find out where we come from specifically for and then. So I think we can all relate to a sense of belonging to a certain… you know, society, or country, or heritage. And I think it's just a really beautiful film, it's a beautiful movie to work on, it was wonderful to work with Eugene, and I think we all kind of knew that we were doing something special, and beautiful.
Lucia: And do you know your roots?
Elijah Kind of, I've not really explored them, but I know that I have eastern European on my mother's side, I believe its either Austrian or Polish.
Lucia (interested): Polish?
Elijah: Perhaps, not sure. Somewhere in eastern Europe. And then on my father's side it's English and Irish, so it's split down the middle.
Lucia: Why do you travel now? Why don't you work at USA?
Elijah (somebody started to speak into microphone): What's that?
Lucia (loudly): Why are you traveling now?
ELIJAH: Why am I traveling now? Well, I'm not working at the moment, so I came out. My girlfriend is in the band and she had her birthday tonight, so I came out for her birthday. So yeah, I'm not doing anything at the moment, but I'm working on a small record label, in the United States called "Simian Records", and I'm going back for some shows that a band that I've been working with, are playing.
Lucia: What pictures are you going to work on?
Elijah: Well, I've been working on an animated film, called "Nine", that should come out… end of next year. I did a movie earlier this year, called "The Oxford Murders", that comes out next year. And then I'm about to start on some other that come out next year.
Lucia: What is your point of view, about modern cinema?
Elijah: Modern Cinema? I don't know… I feel like it becomes more and more difficult to find movies that I really wanna see. I feel like years ago, at any given weekend, there were three or four movies that I wanted to see… And the older I get, I feel like it's more difficult to find movies that I want to see. So I don't know, I feel like there's a lot of sequels, there are a lot of remakes, and a lack of original ideas. But I think that all art runs in cycles, and I think that we're in a bad cycle at the moment, and I think it'll shift and change, like anything does.
Lucia: Which is your favorite European or USA director of film?
Elijah (bewildered): Wow… The favorite of all time?
Lucia: Not to work may be. To see. Like… I don't know… Almodovar.
Elijah: Yeah, he's great. I mean he's had such a long career, and has made some amazing movies. I love Ang Lee, I think Ang Lee is consistent in being amazing. I love Paul Thomas Anderson… Who else… I love Guillermo del Toro, I think "Pan's Labyrinth", which he did last year, was extraordinary. I love the Coen Brothers, I think the Coen Brothers are amazing. I'm really excited about their new films.
Lucia: So, thank you! That's all.
Elijah: That's it?
Lucia: Yep, thank you.
Elijah: You're welcome, of course.