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ALICE ROHRWACHER: Nothing!
For some, a chimera is easy money.
For other people, its a secret goal that cannot be attained so easily.
Alice RohrwacherGetty Images
DEADLINE: Who else do you have starring in the movie?
But its an ensemble with many different roles that are played by local people.
Some of them are non-professional actors.
Josh O’Connor inLa chimera.Simona Pampaollona
Mainly my neighbors [laughs].
DEADLINE: What inspired the story?
It was almost a stereotype.
DEADLINE: Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
ROHRWACHER: Probably because there were stories that I could not write, but I could see.
DEADLINE: Childhood seems to be a very big influence on your work, your own childhood in particular.
ROHRWACHER: I dont know if my childhood is such a big influence on my filmmaking.
DEADLINE: You were very fortunate in that your very first film,Corpo celestepremiered at Cannes in 2011.
What was your experience there, and were you surprised to get into Directors Fortnight?
ROHRWACHER: I remember that it was a wonderful experience.
It was all very new for me, and it impressed me so much.
But the experience of sharing that screening with an audience…
It was just so emotional for me.
Ill never forget it.
DEADLINE: Its a very confident film.
Your style has grown since then, but its still a very good debut.
How do you feel about it now?
ROHRWACHER: I dont know if it was a matter of confidence or of feeling irresponsible and unaware.
I felt a great deal of freedom, and I still look for that freedom.
The freedom was in my angle and perspective on the world that I wanted to attract viewers into.
Thats why Im talking about instinct and irresponsibility.
I remember the first day I went on set, Id never seen a crew in my life before.
The collective aspect of filmmaking gave me strength, and really, I admire the beauty of that effort.
DEADLINE: You hit your groove with your second film,The Wonders.
Critics use the term magic realism a lot to describe it.
I think that its important not so much to change but to evolve.
Now lets continue the journey together.
Lets grow together in this world we wish to share and portray.
But I like challenges.
I think that these difficult things can help you grow and mature.
So, its my gaze that sees the enchantment and the wonders in looking around myself.
I dont add it on in a sort of extra dosage of it.
How important is that film to you?
Its like when Michelangelo said, I see the statue in the block of marble.
Its already there I just must carve it out.
Thats what I feel aboutHappy as Lazzaro.
Im not comparing myself to Michelangelo [laughs].
DEADLINE:La chimerabrings you back in Competition.
Do you feel any pressure?
There are famously very few women competing every year…
ROHRWACHER: Yeah, indeed.
So, Im very grateful to the selection committee that chose my film.
Films have a strange life in a big festival.
But the life of a film can be absolutely unexpected after its been presented to an audience.
What was that like for you?
There are many things that I didnt know and I could never have imagined.
Amongst which, what was least expected was that there was a very familial atmosphere at the ceremony.
DEADLINE: Why did you choose to make a short film at this point in your career?
You said earlier that you hadnt even made one before you made your first movie.
ROHRWACHER: It was actually a long short film because it nearly lasted 40 minutes.
I dont know if Ill make another one in the future.
If Im given the opportunity, why not?
DEADLINE: Final question.
This is your fourth time in Cannes with a movie.
What is it about the film festival that you look forward to the most?
ROHRWACHER: Its very difficult to describe.
Youll never get used to the emotions that you feel.
