How much have your Italian origins and the culture of your country affected your professional career?
Without any doubt my Italian origins have helped me a lot to make my debut on the film market with the first projects dedicated to a specific current of Italian culture, namely the desire for redemption of a territory, the South, which can no longer bear the management and interference of the underworld.
In your opinion, is Italy still a meritocratic country as far as cinema is concerned?
Unfortunately this is a sore point in our country as, in my opinion, meritocracy does not exist in any Italian sector. Specifically, cinema is far from being meritocratic and this is undoubtedly damaging both for Italian professionals but not least for the Italian market. What could be the side effects of not having quality people in this reality? In reality, Italian cinema is full of great talents, especially young people, who would undoubtedly take our country to the highest level but unfortunately, as we well know, the "Italian system" does not allow it.
Is Italian cinema still popular abroad? In your opinion, what peculiarity makes it stand out on the international and global scene?
Today Italian cinema is not very appreciated abroad. If we note, at every important festival the cinema of the 50s and 60s is always recognized mainly in which the masters of Italian cinema such as Federico Fellini, Pier Paolo Pasolini and many others were free to make films of Italian culture without too many limits of system. Unfortunately this is not the case today.
Do you dream of taking your productions abroad? Why?
Undoubtedly one of my goals is to be able to collaborate with international cinema. In recent years I have greatly appreciated Spanish, Colombian, Mexican and French cinema which have made great strides in terms of product quality, directing technique and the quality of the actors unlike Italy which is far from these canons.
Is Italian cinema still credible outside our country?
Let's say it's a systemic credibility but, from a point of view of critical quality and cinematic depth, in my opinion we are very far from having serious credibility.
What were the main difficulties you had to overcome to become an established director in Italy?
The difficulties… that never end. The Italian system obliges you to remain bound by multiple conditions without which you have no way of being able to carry out any film project.
The "Italian system" should be totally renewed and projected towards an international market. The results I have obtained to date are solely the result of professional stubbornness and freedom of thought within my projects.
In your opinion, does the film market, the needs of producers and those of the mass media risk impoverishing, reducing the actor's talent, expressiveness and spontaneity?
Absolutely yes. The Italian system penalizes the Italian film market in 80% of cases, thus influencing the quality of the product itself and above all the spontaneity and quality of the Italian actors who are potentially of a high level but must inevitably adapt to a system which penalizes.
As a director, what are your dreams still in the drawer?
Let's say you live on dreams but live on reality. So more than dreams I would say that my projects are still many today. I have started a collaboration with foreign countries and I am sure that, by continuing on this path, I will be able to obtain greater satisfaction.
In your opinion, today, are there still Italian directors who represent the true "Made in Italy" or are our productions simply becoming a commercial product for the use and consumption of fashions?
I think that in the Italian market there is a strong overestimation of many directors and consequently of various Italian projects that always tell the same thing and always in the same way. It goes without saying that the Italian commercial system loves it.
Maestro Jonathan Cilia Faro, who has always nominated her, supports the importance of meritocracy and philanthropy in the artistic field. Who is the director you admire the most at the moment and in what do you think he contributes to bringing prestige to Italy?
In Italy I don't have a director of reference but I have always respected Tony Scott. I think he was a pioneer and a true creative of the past.
Speaking of meritocracy and philanthropy, in your opinion, among the promising young artists, which artists do you believe deserve to be able to emerge? For what reason?
Unfortunately I don't want to pass for an extremely negative or destructive person but in the Italian market today, maybe and just maybe, both good and well-prepared singers and actors can be counted on one hand. Honestly, I would need more time to figure out which ones, as the system destroys the artist's soul.
Following your experience, in your opinion, is it easier to collaborate with other Italian artists or is it more stimulating to do so with foreign ones?
Without any doubt I believe that it is much more productive to collaborate with foreign artists (whether singers or actors) while maintaining an Italian working system which, it must be said, has always distinguished us but which unfortunately, over time, has been lost above all for that regarding the contents. The Italians are commercial and big sheep, they limit themselves "to copying and doing the commercial homework".
In your opinion, what are the main characteristics that an artist must have in order to establish himself in Italy? Is talent enough?
Without a doubt, Italian or foreign talent must be based on study, sacrifice, the desire to get involved and a lot of mental freedom. However, as far as the "Italian system" is concerned, I believe that this will never be a guarantee of success as the latter is not based on the meritocracy above all of the cultural and artistic system.
What are your plans for the near future?
There are several projects in the pipeline, fortunately. A good part are located abroad between Morocco, Kenya and some others in Italy. Obviously it is early to be able to give you more precise information but without a doubt you will soon hear about it.
