Alan Rickman was an incredibly talented actor and giant of British theatre who sadly passed away on Thursday. He was also super super hot. Back in 2013, VICE made a film about women who get, for want of a better word, randy for Rickman. We got in touch with the film's director, Bronwen Parker-Rhodes, and one of its stars, Olivia Emes, to find out why so many women felt a special connection to him.VICE: So this is shit.
Olivia: Can't believe we have lost another hero to cancer. It's one of those legends you can't ever imagine losing. Part of our cultural history.Why do you think Alan Rickman is so loved?
Bronwen: His voice, his size, the way he carries himself… so many things!
Olivia: He has something about him that is becoming more and more rare. He's a gentleman. A gentle man. But full of power, that confuses us here women.So for this film, how did you come up with the idea of interviewing people about their Rickman fantasies?
Bronwen: About 10 years ago I made a short film at art school called Lark. The girl in the film had a shrine to Alan above her bed. After making Lark I kept meeting women who had seen the film and commented on also having a crush on Alan.How did you find the Rickman superfans?
Bronwen: Very easily. Although he's not an obvious heartthrob, as soon as I started looking for female fans I was overwhelmed by the response.Were you surprised by the explicit and ferocious nature of their desire for Alan?
Bronwen: Not really. I wasn't surprised by the level of intensity, but I was surprised by the variety of fantasies the women had. It seemed they all saw such different things in Alan.Olivia, how would you explain Alan's appeal?
Olivia: Most women love him. His voice, his charisma, his presence. He doesn't even need to try I think that's what's so attractive about him. He oozes whatever it is that makes girls go weak at the knees.Wow. Is there a particular moment that sparked your love for him?
Olivia: Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Think it came out in 1991 so I would have been 11. Probably my first experience of a bad boy.
Bronwen: Yes, I love him in Robin Hood. Particularly the scene where he pins Maid Marian to the floor and forces her to marry him.Did anyone say anything you couldn't put in the film?
Bronwen: So many things. The film could have easily been an hour long. One women talked passionately about how she wished she could bottle his spunk to create the ultimate perfume: Eau d'Alan.A fitting tribute. Thanks guys.@samwolfsonMore from VICE:Alan Rickman, Beloved Actor and Everyone's Secret Crush, Has DiedVICE Writers on Their Favourite Bowie SongsHere Are The Countries You Should Be Scared Of in 2016
Olivia: Can't believe we have lost another hero to cancer. It's one of those legends you can't ever imagine losing. Part of our cultural history.
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Bronwen: His voice, his size, the way he carries himself… so many things!
Olivia: He has something about him that is becoming more and more rare. He's a gentleman. A gentle man. But full of power, that confuses us here women.So for this film, how did you come up with the idea of interviewing people about their Rickman fantasies?
Bronwen: About 10 years ago I made a short film at art school called Lark. The girl in the film had a shrine to Alan above her bed. After making Lark I kept meeting women who had seen the film and commented on also having a crush on Alan.How did you find the Rickman superfans?
Bronwen: Very easily. Although he's not an obvious heartthrob, as soon as I started looking for female fans I was overwhelmed by the response.Were you surprised by the explicit and ferocious nature of their desire for Alan?
Bronwen: Not really. I wasn't surprised by the level of intensity, but I was surprised by the variety of fantasies the women had. It seemed they all saw such different things in Alan.Olivia, how would you explain Alan's appeal?
Olivia: Most women love him. His voice, his charisma, his presence. He doesn't even need to try I think that's what's so attractive about him. He oozes whatever it is that makes girls go weak at the knees.Wow. Is there a particular moment that sparked your love for him?
Olivia: Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Think it came out in 1991 so I would have been 11. Probably my first experience of a bad boy.
Bronwen: Yes, I love him in Robin Hood. Particularly the scene where he pins Maid Marian to the floor and forces her to marry him.
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Bronwen: So many things. The film could have easily been an hour long. One women talked passionately about how she wished she could bottle his spunk to create the ultimate perfume: Eau d'Alan.A fitting tribute. Thanks guys.@samwolfsonMore from VICE:Alan Rickman, Beloved Actor and Everyone's Secret Crush, Has DiedVICE Writers on Their Favourite Bowie SongsHere Are The Countries You Should Be Scared Of in 2016