An Interview With Jana Kaderabkova - Hostel (2005) (Spoilers)
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Disturbing Cinema: I first saw Hostel (2005) when I was ten years old, during a stay at my
friend Adam's house in Bradford, England. That night, we were going to have a sleepover with two other
boys, and we were discussing what to watch, and I remember Adam's mom, who was a horror aficionado,
encouraging us to watch Hostel, which she had on DVD, and we were like, hell yeah! So there are four of
us in the bedroom watching this film, which begins as a porno for us, and, of course, we were 10 years
old, so we were all euphoric watching it, and then we were just too shocked to speak about the second
part of the films torture porn. That night is something I will always remember, and it's one of my favorite
films now. Every time I watch it, I'm overcome with childhood nostalgia. The question I now pose is: What
horror film did you watch as a child that had an impact on you?
Jana Kaderabkova: First of all thank you for your questions. Wow! Your friend’s mom let you guys watch Hostel when you’re 10 years old?! I’m not sure I can still watch it now in my 40ties! Simply because it’s too cruel for me, the blood, the bodies parts cutting etc. I love the story, the idea, it’s so unique, but I would be closing my eyes when it comes to the torture parts. To answer your question, as a kid, my favorite horrors were movies when there were dangerous or creepy animals involved. Jaws was definitely number one scary movie for me. I don’t remember how many times I have seen it. Slugs (1988 ) was another one or The Birds (1963).
Sickkgirl: What did you love about your role as Svetlana, and how was your experience
working with your co-star Barbara Nedeljáková?
Jana Kaderabkova: Svetlana..I understand, that playing any role, you always give a bit of yourself in it, no matter what character it is. Even if it’s someone seemingly completely different than yourself, you would act or play it, as it has happened to you in a way. I thought Svetlana was inside a good girl..she was just unlucky to be born where she was born and surrounded by an environment, which led her to do, what she had to do..the moment in the pub, when she asked Paxton to stay and have more drinks with her and Natalya, and didn’t want to join him to see the show could have been a sign, that she didn’t want him to die?Maybe. And working with Barbara Nedeljáková?! OMG I couldn’t have been any luckier!!! Not only that she’s a great actress, but she’s also an amazing human being. Until now, she’s one of a few peoples, I always love to see, either in Prague or anywhere around the world when possible. And when we do see each other, it’s always the best time.We talk nonstop, we laugh till we cry and that’s very rare. She’s one emphatic and funny woman and I think, I can call her a real friend.
Disturbing Cinema: It's been 20 years since Hostel was released, and I'm sure you've
had lots of amazing experiences to tell while traveling across the world and exhibiting this film. What is
the most memorable moment you've had with your cast or a fan that you could share with us all?
Jana Kaderabkova: Yes, unbelievably, it’s been already 20 years!!! I didn’t travel because of Hostel the first 10-11 years at all. I worked as a model before and also after. I was based in Europe and I decided to settle down and live a family life. I have 3 beautiful children. Two daughters, 13 and 5 years old and one son, who just turned 8. In about 8 years ago, Varol Porsemay asked Barbara for my contact and he managed to bring us back together. We did some conventions together in Europe since and I hope, we can still attend many more all over the world in a future. It’s always great to meet fans, to refresh some memories and hear, how this movie impacted many of them, for example like your sleepover story. That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?! It’s fascinating to hear, that film Hostel apparently spoiled tourism in Slovakia, in my experience, from what I have heard from our fans, it actually attracted them to come and visit it!
Sickkgirl: When was the last time you watched Hostel (2005) and do you think it still holds
up after 20 years considering the amount of disturbing films that have come after?
Jana Kaderabkova: I don’t enjoy watching myself on TV that much to be honest, therefore I saw hostel maybe like 1x with friends, shortly after it was released. But fans all over the world have been sending me several short videos from Hostel and I think, the pub scene, or the one, when we were hit by the car is very popular. I definitely think, Hostel still holds up even after those 20 years indeed! Hostel is different, that’s why it’s so unique, it definitely became a cult movie. I’m not sure I can say the same thing about (as you mentioned) many other disturbing movies.
Disturbing Cinema: I would like you to tell us about how you first met Eli Roth and
how becoming a part of the franchise has changed your life.
Jana Kaderabkova: I have met Eli at the audition in Prague. One of many castings, I was sent by my former modelling agency, I was represented by. I remember him as a one passionate and charismatic guy, who I had a huge respect for. He asked me few questions, I think I tried acting cool, but I was quite overwhelmed, also because I was given some script to read, myself, who’ve never acted before, I did few small commercials or photo shootings, but never anything that big. So saying that, the whole shooting was overwhelming, different, exciting and totally unforgettable. I remember being stressed and worried if I will do well, next to all the talented professionals, but on the other hand, we formed into one amazing I would say a “ family “, which was so hard to say goodbye to at the end of all of it. We worked, we laughed, we all lived 24/7 for it for about 2 months, if I remember well..the life felt empty then. It was extremely interesting to see the film making in general. All the tricks, special make up & effects, how fake body parts are being made for movies, to see Eli’s passion for what he does, all the big actors when working..And yes, of course it must have changed my life. From then on, I’m Svetlana and I am being reminded this almost every day by people all over the world, on social media mostly.
Sickkgirl: I've been a huge fan of Hostel for a few years now and have amassed quite a
collection, as you can see from my constant tagging of you in images lol. I've visited the filming sites
twice, including Český Krumlov, as one of my minor obsessions. Have you revisited any of the areas since
filming?
Jana Kaderabkova: I love your amazing obsession! Keep tagging me and keep collecting, please! I love it. It always makes me smile and make my days nicer. Most of my scenes were shot in Prague and Český Krumlov. I haven’t visited south Bohemia, where Český Krumlov is, but I have visited Prague many times since. Torture museum in Prague close to Old town square, always makes me smile and remind me of old Hostel days.
Sickkgirl: As a woman, does the subject of the film make you more wary of traveling, and
have you ever had a horror vacation experience to share with us all?
Jana Kaderabkova: As a woman, I’m more concerned and aware now, it came with age and with fact, that I have kids. It’s not just being a woman, I think and sadly world can be quite cruel and dangerous for all young people and not just for young ones. It feels world, or certain type of people, is getting more and more hard to understand for me. I don’t trust politicians any more, the whole system seems to be wrong. Then automatically I’m asking myself, what is here next waiting for my children, when I’m no longer around. But maybe that’s really just my age! lol Hmmm horror vacation?? well I have been traveling a lot and I keep moving from one country to another one, it’s always different anywhere you go and a key is, to accept and respect any place I just got into. There have been many moments, when I’m in the middle of some place in Asia, when phone battery dies, no data usage, no credit card works, I suddenly need a cash, everyone around me doesn’t seem wanting to help, or even understand English, or to end up 12 hrs stuck at the small, boring airport with 3 kids, one of them is a toddler, many random moments like this has happened to me, I tend to forget them though. However miraculously, there has always been some light at the end of the tunnel and the problem was always somehow solved thanks to my guardian angels most probably.
Disturbing Cinema: Finally I would like to conclude this interview by asking you one
of my signature questions which is what is the most disturbing film you have ever seen and why?
Jana Kaderabkova: This might be a tricky one, I have been neglecting movies since many many years ago. And when I finally find some time, I would usually choose something less disturbing to watch, sort of Woody Allen type of movies. But to satisfy your question,… I guess any World War II movies, most of them based on a horrific true story, that I find extremely disturbing!Actually I forgot about Dahmer series!! Again, knowing, it had really happened and how disgusting it was, I simply couldn’t watch it all. I stopped somewhere around 3rd episode only.
Disturbing Cinema: Congratulations on the film, and thank you once again for taking your time answering our questions, Jana Kaderabkova. It was an absolute pleasure interviewing you.
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Hostel (2005) Plot Summary: Presented by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Eli Roth, Hostel is a shocking and relentless film in the tradition of Saw about three backpackers that head to a Slovakian city that promises to meet their hedonistic expectations, with no idea of the hell that awaits them.
You can buy or rent Hostel (2005) here:
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