1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?

I grew up in Boulder, Colorado and was lucky enough to spend many summers in Sardinia where I fell in love with Italian culture. I went to film school at NYU and have lived in New York ever since. 

I found film through performing in theater as a kid. I had a teacher in high school who showed us a lot of foreign films which completely altered the way I thought about what a film could be. From then on I set my sites on making my own films and haven’t looked back. 

2) What was the initial idea and how did it evolve from there?

I met Vincenzo via Instagram and we quickly developed a friendship. I initially discussed casting him to act in a short film, but realized his own story deserved a film of its own. I proposed coming to Italy to film him and a week later I got on a plane to Milan. 

3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And generally what part of the creative process do you enjoy the most?

The biggest challenge with this project was doing everything myself. Not having anyone around as a sounding board for ideas or a sense of perspective. But also practically, literally holding the camera and running sound myself while trying to process the events unfolding in front of me. In the end, it was the only way I was able to fully immerse myself in Vincenzo’s world. 

I generally like the shooting process best. Collaborating with people, capturing fleeting moments that you can’t predict. It’s an indescribable feeling watching something you’ve only dreamt of come to life in real time. 

 4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?

I just watched “High Heels” by Almodovar for the first time. He’s such a genius and a powerful voice for women and the LGBTQ+ community. It’s amazing to watch an early film of his like “High Heels” and already see such a clearly developed visual language and him exploring the themes that he continues to wrestle with today. 

5) What’s next for you?

I’m working on getting financing together for a fictional feature I wrote called “Holy Water Disco”. Vincenzo will be starring in the film as a version of himself in a sort of magical realist summertime romance. We’re aiming to shoot in Italy as soon as production resumes post-pandemic.

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https://www.peter-spark.com/

@therealpeterspark