Bram van Splunteren on filming John and RHCP
In an exclusive interview for The Chili Source, Dutch film maker Bram Van Splunteren, the author of Dutch Connection, the award-winning documentary on the Red Hot Chili Peppers composed out of interviews formerly referred to as VPRO 1997, 1992 and 1994 shared his story of filming John Frusciante.
The Chili Source: What do you think of the change that John has been through over the years?
Bram van Splunteren: Hmm, I don’t know what to say. He has just overcome his addictions it seems and has become a more mature and responsible person. In the early days he was a very crazy and manic person, a good musician too, but also a bit too intense maybe.
TCS: Did John play you songs that didn’t get into Niandra LaDes And Usually Just A T-Shirt during the ’94 interview?
Van Splunteren: I think so, yes, he did some songs from when he was 14 or so? Did not he say that? did you ever see the whole 40 minute piece about me visiting him when he was a junkie? Everything he played was in there. There are no outtakes.
TCS: Do you think you will be able to film RHCP again in the future?
Van Splunteren: Maybe John. I already requested that but, for the moment, he doesn’t want do it. Without John the band is not that interesting anymore for me. Maybe at some point I can film when they are down and out, burned out rock stars, that could be interesting. I know you don’t think so, hahaha!
For the full inteview – containing one more lengthy answer on filming John in 1994, as well as a bunch of general questions on filming the Red Hots – proceed to The Chili Source. Many thanks to TCS and the interview author, Shalhevet Dvir, for allowing redistribution.
