FABRIZIO ROSSETI
Did you study in any film school or private course? Or did you learn to make movies on your own?
I’ve studied cinematography at MILAN FILM SCHOOL and my goal was to became Director of Photography, something that never happened. In the meantime I was working as an assistant photographer and tv camera operator (mainly sport) to learn as much as I could.
How many years have you been making movies and how did you get started in movies?
My first short movie as a Director was in 1995. I loved cinema, music and photography at the same level and I was mixing the three elements together in all my works.
At the same time I’ve started to work as a film editor, and I am still doing. But let’s say that before BORINESS that is my first feature film, I was directing one short film every 3 years, more or less. I also love to shoot music videos.
One of the problems that we filmmakers have is that we are not like the actors or the technical team, who work with many different productions and can learn different ways of doing things. Normally we only attend our own shoots. Have you had the opportunity to assist in the shooting of other people or are you usually only in your own shoots? If yes, is there anything that caught your attention?
In my case I have been on a lot of different sets because I’ve always worked as an editor and sometimes you start working on set or you go there to help taking decisions or giving some tips. I’ve been working as an editor for Tony Kaye (American history x) on a movie that never saw the light, called LOBBY LOBSTER and I was spending a lot of time on set with him also because he liked my way to shoot and asked me to catch moments of him directing and I was amazed because I loved the interaction he created with the actors. I’ve definitely learned a lot from him and I am sure, in my subconscious, I work in the same way thanks to him.
What budget did you have for your project?
We found 150.000€ that rich people invested to somehow show they don’t have any problem to spend 10.000€ for something artistic even if they don’t have any idea about art. But was tough to remain in the budget because we shot in 7 different countries and I was doing almost everything by myself. But at the end I guess we spent 132.000 instead. The last 18.000 went into lawyers and reshoot…but this is a different story.
Any anecdote that you can tell us about the filming?
Yes of course. A lot. But the weirdest one was that in Beirut we were almost dying. We hired a special effects guy because an actress had to shoot with a gun and miss the target destroying a little vase but the guy put too much gunpowder in it and everything blew up like a bomb. The actress was in first line and, honestly, I still don’t know how she hadn’t any scratches on her face. In the window behind the target there was a big hole created by the explosion. Scary, but we should have thought about it in front, when the special effect’s guy arrived on set limping, creating some doubts about his skills.
What are you most proud of about this project?
I should say the fact I was able to stay in the budget doing exactly what I had in mind. But in reality I am very proud about the family I’ve created. People are still in touch even if they don’t live in the same Country. Human connection was amazing.
And what less? What would you change if you could go backwards?
What I’ve already changed in my next project is to remove people that are not interested in your work and are only interested in making money. I had a big fight with producers and we went through lawyers. Actually the movie changed its original name and I also had to change completely the music and shoot a new part.
Did you comply with the shooting plan or did it take longer than expected?
We had no money to shoot extra days but, to be honest, we didn’t need it. All perfect.
Fincher says that if a director can translate into a film 70% of what he had in mind, he can be more than satisfied. What % do you think you have achieved in this project?
I can’t really say but more than 70%. Maybe 90%. This is because during the shooting I was not controlled by Producers. They trusted me 100%. The problems started after I screened the first cut.
If you had unlimited budget. Which actor and actress would you like to work with?
First of all I want to say that I like to work with good actors and not stars, unless they really are good actors 😄. When I work with actors, if their potential is 100, I try to receive 200. And probably with some of the big names this is not possible because they are the stars and me I am nobody. For instance DIANE FLERI, the main actress of BORINESS is a well known actress in Italy. She is always playing the -love affair- of some rich and handsome guy played by popular actors. Always the same stupid role.
I met her personally during a dubbing session of a movie I was editing, and I’ve discovered her fragility and personality right there, in the sound studio. So I asked her to act in my movie and I brought her completely out of her comfort zone. And, still today, she is saying in public that her experience in my film is still the best she did ever because she was not acting only when we were shooting but also before and after the take. Was a deep dive into her character that left a mark on her.
Anyway, going back to your question, I wouldn’t mind to work with Cate Blanchett that I consider the best living actress, probably Juliette Binoche because I fell in love with her on MAUVAIS SANG (Bad Blood) by Leos Carax and the same for Denis Lavant. Also Vanessa Paradis that I adore. And last, Benoit Poelvoorde, belgian director/actor that directed my favourite movie ever - MAN BITES DOG. Ah, also JIM JARMUSH. He is my n.1 director ever and my dream is to have this guy in my cast!!!!
Anyway, even if I had unlimited budget, my choice won’t go towards Johnny Depp, Di Caprio or Frances McDorman, that are brilliant actors. Maybe I would work with Diane Fleri again and pay her a lot of money!
Your favorite movie?
MAN BITES DOG-
And filmmaker?
Jim Jarmush
What is the scene that has impacted you the most?
American History X breaking the teeth of the guy on the sidewalk
If you could do a remake of a movie, what would it be?
I can’t say. I probably would love to do a remix completely different of some Fellini’s movie. I call them remixed because I would keep only the idea and develop it in my way. When a remake is something like La grande Bellezza by Sorrentino I think is boring and I prefer to watch the original.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Do you think you will continue making movies?
Actually I don’t think so. Now I am fighting to finish a new one, Mudness. And once is done, I stop directing movies and will do something different. Madness is my vision of the world. I want to say everything I have to say in this project. Once is done I want to take just one theme and develop it using different artistic tools together, but not a feauture film . Actually I have a project already started, called WALKOUT in which I talk about violence against women and racism. This is going to be a live performance + videos + photos + live music + real witnesses.