JT LeRoys autobiographical novel The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things has just been made into a film. It's going to be out in the UK soon. Here's a little interview with him, published before the shit hit the fan.

Everyone fantasises about who would play them in the film of their life, but youve actually had that experience for real. What was it like seeing a version of yourself onscreen?
I film my books more than I write them. I'm very proud of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things. When we went to Cannes with the film, it received a standing ovation! I stood up and applauded too, and then I went to the bathroom and I couldn't stop sobbing. I wouldn't change a thing about it. It is perfect.

How have you managed to survive?
Like everybody else, breathing in and out all the time :) Well, Dr Owens saved my life, ifn not for him I wouldn't have been here now. I owe him everything.

Can you say a little bit about working with Asia please? Does The Heart is Deceitful... feel like her film now, or is it still your story?
Oh, its still my story, and her film at the same time :) It's really amazing to see this book turned into a film. Its so familiar to me. Asia really paid attention to detail, tried to stay as close to the book as possible. It's unnerving how much she did so. Its as if she entered into my psyche and pulled something out. I think it's a beautiful film and I'm very excited about it entering into the world and, at the same time, it's really frightening.

Whats your favourite part of the film?
What I really treasure are the scenes of affection between Sarah and Jeremiah. From her simply ruffling and straightening his hair to when Jeremiah comforts her when she's in a drug induced psychotic break; when he's offering to protect her. I'm astounded by the fact that a few critics can overlook those scenes of affection that, to me, are blatantly threaded throughout. Just because the mom isn't doting, she is called completely evil and the worst mother alive. Some people do the best they can. The affection is there. You just have to be ready to not have it look like what youre used to.

To an outsider (ie, me) you seem to inhabit a really glamorous world. Lots of magazines and parties, celebrities and gloss. Is this true? Whats the real story?
I get to connect with people that I'm in awe of, artists that I'm moved by, impressed by. It's a great opportunity to meet artists, writers, actors, musicians, directors. People Im excited by, their work. But most of my life is just ordinary, I stay at home, I write or try to avoid writing at all cost :), hang out with my family, play with my kid, just everyday stuff.

Whats next for you?
I'm writing a new book. I just wrote the liner notes for My Own Private Idaho and did a soundtrack accompaniment, with Jonathan Caouette and Gus Van Sant. I'm really excited about that because the movie meant so much to me, and anyone to care what I think about the movie is pretty amazing. Writing the liner notes, it's pretty powerful to me, and I have a hard time holding on to good things, accomplishments, or things that are positive. I just finished editing the Da Capo Best Music Writing 2005 and I'm excited about that.

What else would you like to say?
The rumour is true, Im really hung like a Zebra :)

I'm grateful to all who write to me bout reading my books, their generosity and gentleness when they write to me is a gift.

JT LeRoy