A Conversation with Jake Gyllenhaal at 2016 SXSW Film

"I believe really deeply in the unconscious of a story – it has to have something underneath." – Jake Gyllenhaal

Watch renowned actor Jake Gyllenhaal and director David Gordon Green during the 2016 SXSW Film Conference.

Jake discusses what draws him to a role, the importance of the story, how fear plays into the thrill of acting, the director and actor creative process and relationship, and opens the floor for an audience Q&A.

Academy Award nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal has starred in a plethora of films including Antoine Fuqua’s Southpaw, Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler, David Ayer’s End of Watch, Dennis Villeneuve’s acclaimed films Prisoners and Enemy and more. He can next be seen in Jean-Marc Vallee’s Demolition – which made its U.S. premiere at the 2016 SXSW Film Festival on Saturday, March 12, as part of the Headliners screening section. David Gordon Green comments on Jake's leading role as "a performance drawn from the intimacy of character rather than the enormity of concept."

Watch the video above for the entire session, A Conversation With Jake Gyllenhaal, from Saturday, March 12, 2016. Browse more 2016 Keynotes, Red Carpets, Q&As, sessions and more on our YouTube Channel.

Get inspired by diverse visionaries from the ever-evolving world of film during nine days of screenings, compelling conference sessions, networking opportunities and more at SXSW Film 2016 from March 11-19 in Austin, TX.

Photo by Sandra Dahdah/Getty Images for SXSW