A cinema of understanding

Q&A: Saverio Costanzo

The theme of your film "" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "" is an unconventional choice of subject for an Italian filmmaker. How did your interest in this theme evolve ?

I was holidaying in Palestine in 2002 and a friend of mine (a journalist) took me to this house where the house had been occupied by the Israelis in 1992. The Palestinian family lived in the living room downstairs and the Israeli army lived in several rooms upstairs. The family had refused to leave their home and had become symbols of the Palestinian resistance movement.

Several journalists have written about this home extensively. When I went to visit the family, I was terrified every time the Israeli army entered. I was worried that they would shoot me. However, the Palestinian family had lived with this situation for over a decade, so they would laugh at me. The situation in their home still exists today. This experience was the trigger for this film.

Do you have a political point of view on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ?

No. I don't belong to the conflict and so it is very hard for me to say who is right or wrong. The intent of making this movie was not really to take sides. It was to analyse humans without judgement.

Both sides were keeping alive a political battle that neither was interested in fighting on a personal level. The Israeli soldiers in the house were fed up and wanted to go home. The Palestinian family was also fed up but stayed in the house to make a point.

Do you see a solution?

Education is the only means for creating awareness on both sides. Reverse indoctrination at a young age would probably foster a culture of understanding as opposed to the current culture of hate.

Was the presentation in a dogme style more pertinent to the subject as opposed to a dramatic cinematographic treatment of the subject matter ?

Budgetary considerations dictated the documentary dogme presentation format, not technical cinematographic considerations. It was extremely hard to find funding for this film. I did not have an established filmography to my credit and the subject matter was also a little unconventional. I'm not sorry though. It worked out well.

What's your next project?

Another film. It's about a young Italian guy who goes into a novitiate and then tries to become a priest in a powerful fraternity and the political dynamics involved. I'm just writing the script right now.

Initially, when I won the award for Private, I felt really happy. Now, every new award I receive for it just increases the burden of expectations that viewers will have for my second film. So, I'm feeling the pressure.

How do you perceive Bollywood films?

Bollywood mainstream cinema tends to comprise a lot of singing and dancing, which I find very irritating. I'm not too keen on Indian art films, but I really liked Manish Jha's film Matrubhumi for its exceptional cinematography

Any plans on working on a film related to India ?

No, not in the near future. India is a beautiful country and I have been here three times but just for backpacking . This trip, however, does give me a lot of quiet time to work on my script.