[andrew r]

The official Speed racer website! here

Another Speed Racer press conference vid: here

And this transcript from the conference, with thanks to frank for this:

MC: Who wants to answer the second part of the question?

CHRISTINA RICCI: Which part? Was that about auditioning?

CHRISTINA RICCI: I was sent the script, which was of course very top secret, so I was sent the script two days before and heard about the project and was very excited because I was a huge fan of the Wachowskis. I had seen Speed Racer cartoons before, but I didn't know that much about Speed Racer, so I watched a few more cartoons and went in [to audition] and Emile was there and read with me. Everybody was just so lovely, the Brothers were great to me and I read, and since then just talking to the Brothers is so exciting because they truly are visionaries. I mean, if you think about what they did with The Matrix, they completely revolutionized that genre. So to be able to do a family film about this story, which is so cool anyway and everyone loves cars, and to think about how they're going to revolutionize this genre as well, it is really exciting to be a part of.

CHRISTINA RICCI: I play Trixie, and I'm Speed's faithful girlfriend, they've been together since grade school. I'm really excited because I just feel that there are so many negative images for little girls out there and she's a very strong willed smart girl who also is super cute and has great clothes, so I'm pretty into it.

PRESS: I probably have the typical Berlin question, because first I would like to know how long are you guys staying in Berlin and I would also like to know what you are planning to do or what you would like to see in Berlin, what do you like here, what are you doing in your spare time and where would you like to go?

CHRISTINA: We're here about four months I think and I'm really excited, I've never been here before and I've been here about a week now. I have heard so much about Berlin being such an amazing cultural centre and so I'm excited to see a lot of the art that's here.

PRESS: What's your own record of speed maximum on the highway and any problems with police?

CHRISTINA: I'm a terrible driver, I'll just admit that right now, and I drive really fast and scare people in the car, my passengers, but I've never gotten a ticket ever, so I can't be that bad.

PRESS: [translator speaking] He's asking Christina Ricci and Emile Hirsch if they know anything about Ji Hoon Jung and what they think about him.

CHRISTINA RICCI: Yes. I think I first heard about him on the internet actually and he's awesome.

I'd love to take a ride with Christina