Jesse Eisenberg says he hopes his connection to Central Europe is only just beginning.
The Oscar-nominated actor, writer and director received the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival President’s Award on Saturday, using the occasion to reveal that he will officially become a Polish citizen within days. Speaking before a screening of The Double, Eisenberg said his family’s heritage and his growing admiration for European filmmaking have inspired him to spend more of his career working in the region.
The award comes less than two years after Eisenberg’s acclaimed A Real Pain, which follows two American cousins traveling through Poland to reconnect with their Jewish roots. The film earned Eisenberg Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for Best Original Screenplay, while co-star Kieran Culkin won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Eisenberg says Europe embraces the films he wants to make
Accepting the President’s Award before a packed audience at Hotel Thermal, Eisenberg explained why Karlovy Vary held particular significance for him.
“Being here has particular meaning for me right now,” he said. “In exactly one week I am receiving my Polish citizenship.”
Eisenberg said he pursued citizenship because of his family’s Polish roots, but also because he hopes to spend much more time working in Europe.
“I pursued Polish citizenship because of my family’s heritage, but also because I want to spend more time in my life and my career working in Europe, specifically Central Europe.”
The actor contrasted the current American film industry with the European production landscape, arguing that many of the character-driven stories he enjoys making have become increasingly difficult to finance in Hollywood.
“In America, many of the kind of films that I love so much—human-scale, strange mid-budget films—have become increasingly difficult to make,” he said. “But in Europe, those movies are thriving and celebrated.”
Introducing Richard Ayoade‘s The Double, in which he plays both lead roles, Eisenberg described it as “wonderfully strange” and said the film “owes so much to Central European cinema.”
A multifaceted career — and looking beyond Hollywood
Festival executive director Kryštof Mucha also offered a glimpse of Eisenberg’s unpretentious personality, recalling that after initially contacting the actor’s Los Angeles agent, Eisenberg phoned him directly just minutes later to arrange the festival appearance himself.
“That’s the kind of person he is,” Mucha said.
Eisenberg responded with characteristic self-deprecating humor.
“I’m very approachable, which every actor should be,” he joked, before adding: “I don’t really deserve this award, but actors love awards.”
Later during a KVIFF Talk, Eisenberg reflected on his evolving career as both an actor and filmmaker. He admitted that the Karlovy Vary screening of The Double was the first time he had actually watched the film, explaining that he has traditionally avoided seeing his own performances.
“I can’t look at my own face,” he said, adding that directing has finally given him the confidence to revisit some of his earlier work.
Eisenberg also spoke candidly about his breakthrough role as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, saying he no longer enjoys being associated with the Meta founder.
“I don’t want to be associated with him anymore,” Eisenberg said. “I don’t really like the comparison.”
He added that social media itself has never appealed to him, describing online self-promotion as something that “terrifies” him.
Known for performances in films including The Social Network, Zombieland, The Squid and the Whale, The Double, and Now You See Me, Eisenberg has increasingly focused on writing and directing in recent years. His next film, The Debut, starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, is scheduled for release later this year.
Lead photo courtesy Facebook / Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
