THE ROBERTSON TREATMENT - Vin Diesel - by Gil Robertson

(Aug. 13, 2002) The idea of race and the role it plays in establishing identity is perhaps one of the most engaging questions in the world today. It is also one of the most ignored. which is ironic considering the weight of influence that race has on our everyday lives. Biologically of course, race is of very little importance in determining "what" we are as a species, however, when you examine the social and psychological impact race has on defining "who" we are, the condition takes on a monumental significance. Because society uses race as its guidepost for bestowing status, favor and social order, ones racial identity yields profound power in shaping attitudes, perceptions and behavior.

Which brings us to Vin Diesel, Hollywood's new hot and sexy, action hero. Introduced to movie audiences by director Steven Spielberg, who cast him in his WWII epic "Saving Private Ryan," the actor's career quickly caught a fire via his roles in films like "Boiler Room" and "Pitch Black." Last summer the actor hit pay dirt when "The Fast and the Furious" became a runaway hit. Anticipation is now running high as the actor's first starring role in the extreme action film "XXX" is expected to cement his position as Hollywood's first bonafide action star of the new millenium.

Herein lies the big question mark. Most actors fall easily into definable categories, Vin Diesel has successfully managed to avoid any such label. While black filmgoers consider Vin one of are own, what's surprising is that white audiences have claimed him as well. So which side is right? Is he Black, Italian, Jewish or perhaps Spanish? It¹s really an absurd question, but it is nevertheless relevant in light of the world we live in. For his part in the conversation, Vin has never offered any real comment, and when you think about, why should he?

Born Mark Vincent in New York City on November 1967, Vin was raised in the East Village by an Italian mother and African American father. Vin began acting in local theatre at age 7. Although encouraged by his artsy parents (his mother is an astrologist, his father's an actor) to explore his creative horizons, Vin didn't seriously commit to being an actor until his late teens. After suffering endless rejection due in large part to the ambiguous boundaries pose by his multi-racial lineage, Diesel made the bold decision to define himself and remove his talent out of the realm of category. His only focus being to become simply the best actor that he could be.

In 1994, Vin wrote, directed and starred in an autobiographical film short called "Multi-facial," which won a spot at the Cannes Film Festival and earned him critical praise. After that, with nothing more than courage, belief and talent, he moved to Los Angeles to carve out a niche for himself on his own terms.

Which brings us to today. In the garden of the famously discreet Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood, I met with Vin to conduct the Robertson Treatment's first ever Q&A to talk with the actor about his career, image and living "outside the box."

Robertson Treatment: What is it like to live in a fish bowl and for it to be so new. Do you ever get use to it. What have the early moments been like?

Vin: I don't know if you ever get use to it. I'll go to the gas pump and my dog will be in the back of the truck barking and the attendant is running up to me asking for my autograph. Now my dogs are going crazy, I'm in a rush, but the attendant doesn't see any of this because he only views me as a star. It's so weird having people run up to me and say "Vin." For example, when I go through metal detectors in airports, if I'm stopped, I don't know if it's because I triggered the detector or if it's going to turn into a half-hour autograph session. I think what ends up happening when you become famous is that you become a recluse. You either become a self-destructive recluse or you become a recluse who finds freedom through your career. It's funny because when I was younger, I was allowed to use my imagination in my everyday activities. I use to get up on the subway and recite lines. I was a crazy kind of kid--an extrovert. But when you get to a certain level of success...

RT: You find that you lose freedom which is suppose to be the exact opposite?

Vin: Exactly! It's a real funny irony. It's the fine point you don't read while your dreaming.

RT: So then is it worth it?

Vin: That's a tricky question because you know the true answer, yet if someone were to answer that they'd be crucified. So now your caught between a rock and a hard place because you'd like to tell everyone what it's really like, both the good and the bad, but God save me if I ever sound ungrateful.

RT: So is it better to always have work and make lots of money and not be able to pump your gas, or is it better to live modestly and pump your own gas?

Vin: Well think about it. Once you get past the hip-hop promoted mystique--people who fly in private jets would rather fly commercial. They're not really trying to spend more money, but I got on a plane recently and looked over to find a guy pointing a video camera in my direction. Now the flight attendant came by and asked him to turn it off, but later on in the flight the camera was on again.

RT: Was this in First Class?

Vin: Yes. First Class.

RT: There are some celebrities who well tell people, "I am not working, so respect my privacy." They've learned to define those boundaries and demand that people respect them.

Vin: Maybe I was raised by idealistic parents, but I don't think I've gotten there yet. I mean shouldn't people know what'ss off limits?

RT: Say for instance when you pulled up behind me while we were parking our cars. I knew it was you when I got out of my car, but I walked by you because you were still in your space. Our space is here and now, out in this garden, so I left.

Vin: That was very kind of you, but you know more about the industry than most people. Your a part of the industry and play by industry rules.

RT: Well you became famous in "Saving Private Ryan," even more famous with "Boiler Room and a star in "Pitch Black."

Vin: Which I am working on right now.

RT: On really...a sequel?

Vin: I'm telling you secrets nobody knows.

RT: So now you have completely blown up due to "The Fast and the Furious."

Vin: And what's scary is "XXX." People thought I was crazy turning down more money than anyone is gonna offer, just on integrity. But I told someone, make no mistake, every 20 million dollar pay check you earn costs you in one way or another. Because the blockbusters cost you. They are life changing ventures. You are changing your life dramatically in that period of time.

RT: Triple X is pretty amazing?

Vin: Man, it's a trip. The action sequences are pretty amazing. I play a secret agent that's like something right out of James Bond. Doing this film was important to me because it represented a shift and change in the way that people like me are going to be seen.

RT: What motivate you to make you do it?

Vin: Too make a difference. This goes back to the first conversation we had a few years ago. When I was growing up I had to deal with a lot of shit because I'm multi-cultural. There were no multicultural icons or role models when I grew up.

RT: But New York is a multicultural city.

Vin: Oh yeah! More kids that I grew up with had parents of mixed backgrounds than anything else. So I was the norm.

RT: Really?

Vin: I grew up in an artistic community but my thing was that there were no multicultural heros. I believe that in the not to distant future that kids are going to have to check off twenty boxes when asked the race question.

RT: I think that its unfair that people who are multi cultural are made to chose because by choosing one side you may be negating the other.

Vin: I refuse. And what is true in many cases is that there are more than two cultural backgrounds to consider. Take for instance my case. I can't buy into labels because it diminishes what multiculturalism is and the courage of our parents who created all of us "harmony babies."

RT: Has multiculturalism been a big factor in your life?

Vin: In my younger years, it was a struggle while I was trying to define myself as a person. It was always 'who are you', 'what do you bring'?

RT: You are a special person because you've been able to brush off a lot of rejection and still reach your goals.

Vin: It's all come down to believing in myself and forgetting about what the rest of the world thinks. I knew that I could do this and be somebody because I always had the ambition, talent and perseverance to see my vision through. At the end of the day that's all that anyone really wants anyway. -The Crown

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