Any film is a work of art.

However, the entire Ruben Brandt, Collector is literally a work of art.

In this ambitious animated film, the animation style reflects different works in our world with displaying the knowledge of our masterpieces. With the mix of music, Ruben Brandt, Collector reflects a genius display of an animation film that requires multiple viewings to digest all the animated imitation styles of art.

The film is about four expert thieves attempt to steal every famous artwork that is haunting their mutual psychotherapist. A master detective attempts on finding out who this collector is.

The animation is directed by Milorad Krstic and written by Krstic with Radmila Roczkov. The voice cast includes Iván Kamarás, Gabriella Hamori, Zalan Makranczi and Csaba Marton.

LRM Online had an exclusive phone interview with Iván Kamarás on his involvement with this ambitious project.

Ruben Brandt, Collector had an Annie nomination for Best Animated Independent Feature. It is now available as digital download and DVD today.

Read our exclusive interview with Ivan Kamaras below.

LRM: First of all, I want to ask you is that have you seen this movie?

Iván Kamarás: Of course. I’ve seen the movie in different stages. The moment when I did the audition for the first time, I got to the room and it was not done yet. It was not colored yet. Some of them were sketches from the scenes. It was so breathtaking. To be honest with you, it was absolutely like I dropped my jaw. I felt this is such an incredible project. I would like to be part of it.

LRM: I’ve seen the finished version myself. It was just so mesmerizing that I want to watch it multiple times just to absorb everything. Tell me what initially attracted you to a project like this with Ruben Brandt, Collector.

Iván Kamarás: The artistic take of the director of the whole movie, Milorad Krstic, I’ve been working with that guy like 15 years ago on The Miraculous Mandarin, which has been a very unique production. We made a movie out of that piece. We knew each other. I was not aware of that at the time, but the moment that I saw the whole artistic preview of the whole thing–this is something really unique. This is something really essential. That essential thing was for me, art itself. It’s giving a whole opportunity for young people and for people who are open to art and any kind of art. Cultural openness opened a whole different new idea of observing in this coolness, the bravery of this outstanding mission.

I was really somehow convinced myself as an actor, as well, that it is possible to make art and culture to be witty, cool and triumph in this production to an animation feature. The whole animation feature, which is combining all these different genres of movies. The same time, it’s a crime movie, an action movie, sarcastic, ironic, and with comedy elements to it. All those connections and all those metaphors that the movie contains, it’s just so intense. As you said it, you have to digest it.

LRM: When he showed you the first concept of Ruben Brandt, the look of Ruben Brandt himself, what was your initial reaction? The look of your character.

Iván Kamarás: I said, “Wow.” [Laughs] Interestingly, I was offered, but I was called in for Mike Kowalsky, the detective, the brother. I told him that my American accent is not going to be perfect. I told him the truth. I said that I can fool Hungarians, maybe quite a few Europeans, but maybe Americans. I don’t have that perfect American accent. He’s like, “Yeah. I think you could do Ruben.” This is how I got connected or closer to Ruben for the first time. I was very happy to consider the fact that they chose me.

The character for the first time was a little off to me. The whole movie has these odd characters. Somehow the whole point of accepting ourselves, accepting differences, accepting and honor our differences and our uniqueness as a message of the movie is really catching for me. I was not really surprise that I could not accept the character for the first time at 100 percent. I had to process his looks. There are some animal features with grotesque elements and painting different characters. He is absolutely one of those. He has these features.

LRM: Have you done voice acting before?

Iván Kamarás: I am an Hungarian actor, but I’m based in LA. I did a lot of voiceovers and dubbing. For the first time this was, this came to me for the first time as real voice acting when the character was not drawn yet when I joined the production. They kind of like put it with my features as well somehow. I’m really a breathing part of this whole experience.

The other character, Mike Kowalsky, would be like a more stereotypical cool dude, hunk character that I usually would get out of my looks. The other one was like a more like an introvert with a lot of secrets and disconnectivity. I’m not saying a bigger challenge, but it was absolutely a very favorable thing to do for me.

LRM: It sounded like it was a challenge because it’s a different personality. It doesn’t sound like it’s you and it’s also with a different accent. Am I correct?

Iván Kamarás: Absolutely. It’s a triumph. It’s such a great project that I’m really happy to be part of.

LRM: How much enjoyment did you have being in the voice actor’s booth by yourself?

Iván Kamarás: Well, watching the character, embodying this character and giving my voice was really, really fun and exciting, interesting and cool. [Laughs] The other thing that I would like to emphasize about this whole thing is how cool that is for younger people to see the amount of this super intense artistic endeavor. It’s so ambitious with so much knowledge they can get from this movie. It’s incredible. I’ve been a youngster or a teenager myself when I was like super bored in different museums. It seems very boring to watch art. It was very tiring for me. This whole thing was covered in a popular coat, giving the audience an avenue that makes it easier to learn [about art].

LRM: Which was your favorite art piece that was introduced through this animation?

Iván Kamarás: Andy Warhol’s Double Elvis or Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. I couldn’t really pick any, because the whole thing is my favorite. The movie, itself, is my favorite, eh.

LRM: Can you talk about some of your future projects that you may have?

Iván Kamarás: I’m involved in a TV series right now. I am doing quite a few things in Hungary. I’m just willing to get back to LA soon. I have a couple of projects coming up, but it’s still under negotiation so I cannot really like go into the details.

LRM: Excellent. Thank you, Ivan, for speaking with me. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Iván Kamarás: I appreciate you calling me. Thank you. Have a great day.

Source: LRM Online Exclusive