Ask Spling – Episode 13: Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
In Episode 13 of ‘Ask Spling: Reel Talk and Real Life’… Spling answers: “Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?” – a question from Lara S.
Spling Verdict
Interviewing Hollywood star Milla Jovovich in her personal trailer at the Durbanville Quarry during the South African shoot of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter remains a career-defining moment. This exclusive encounter underscored the value of asking deeply resonant, insightful questions that can captivate a global A-lister and command a memorable, almost 15-minute response. Here’s the Milla Jovovich interview article.
Key Insights
Hollywood in the Mother City: The Durbanville Quarry in Cape Town served as a primary, atmospheric location for filming Paul W.S. Anderson’s sci-fi action blockbuster Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
Exclusive Access: An elite contingent of South African film journalists secured rare, midnight access inside Milla Jovovich’s personal trailer, bypassing the standard press tent junket format.
The Power of the Prompt: Crafting a highly original, thought-provoking question earned the ultimate praise from The Fifth Element actress, who spent 15 minutes delivering a deeply appreciative and comprehensive answer.
A-List Authenticity: Beyond her fierce Alice persona, Jovovich revealed herself to be surprisingly witty, down-to-earth and relatable, shifting from an intimidating cinematic icon to an engaging, accessible creative.
The FAQ Section
Was Resident Evil: The Final Chapter actually filmed on location in South Africa?
Yes, the production of the sixth installment in the multi-billion dollar Resident Evil franchise heavily utilized South African landscapes, most notably the rugged, post-apocalyptic terrain of the Durbanville Quarry in Cape Town. As an established hub for international service productions, South Africa provided the ideal backdrop, crew infrastructure, and dramatic topography required for Paul W.S. Anderson’s dystopian vision. Local press junkets for the film brought critics face-to-face with the global cast and crew directly on these active, heavily transformed sets. This local shoot highlighted South Africa’s growing reputation as a top-tier destination for major Hollywood blockbusters and high-octane action cinema.
Did Milla Jovovich engage well with the South African press during the shoot?
Yes, the international superstar demonstrated exceptional warmth, wit and generosity toward the local media contingent during her time in Cape Town. Despite the gruelling demands of a late-night action shoot that stretched towards midnight, Jovovich bypassed standard public relations protocols to host a select group of South African journalists inside her personal trailer. Rather than delivering rushed, generic soundbites, she engaged deeply with the critics, famously spending 15 minutes answering a single, well-crafted question. Her castmates frequently noted her sharp sense of humour and down-to-earth demeanour, proving she was incredibly receptive to thoughtful local journalism.
Should journalists ask standard junket questions when interviewing major Hollywood stars?
No, sticking to generic, repetitive questions wastes a rare opportunity to extract meaningful insights from high-profile artists who are used to monotonous press tours. Presenting an A-list actor like Milla Jovovich with a highly original, deeply considered question can completely shift the energy of an interview, turning a routine media interaction into a memorable, long-form discussion. In this instance, a unique perspective prompted the actress to candidly state, “I wish I thought like you,” validating the critic’s authority. Memorable film journalism relies entirely on avoiding predictable talking points and having the confidence to land a compelling, authoritative question.
