Basilicata: Terra di Cinema - Interview - Actress/Director Emanuela Ponzano on her film "La Slitta" (The Sled)
Shot in the region of Basilicata, the story of La Slitta follows Alfred, a child who lives with his family
in the woods near an isolated village in the mountains of Italy. His parents
have strong prejudices against immigrants. Bored and unhappy, they often
quarrel, and they pay little attention to their son and usually disregard his
needs for attention and affection. One day, wishing to get away from this
oppressive atmosphere, Alfred disobeys his father’s strict orders for him to
stay at home and he leaves the house to go and see his classmates. On his
journey through the woods he gets lost and he comes across a wooden sled and
its owner, a young boy from another country who seems strange and different,
and who Alfred has sometimes seen around the village. After an initial clash,
in which they project the prejudices of their parents and society onto each
other, they tell each other about their lives. They soon start to relate to
each other and understand each other’s problems. Thanks to the sled, Alfred will
have his first experience of a genuine relationship with another person.
I spoke with producer, director and actress, Emanuela Ponzano about the inspiration behind this film and its relevant social message.
La Slitta is a beautiful story about the human condition and the challenges in growing up. Why did you want to tell the story of this boy and his isolation?
Tell me about the symbolism of the
sled?
Born in Brussels, Emanuela Ponzano is an actress and
director in both cinema and theatre. She divides her time working mainly
between Rome, Paris and Brussels. In
1995, having completed her degree in Political Science at the ULB in Brussels,
Ponzano decided to dedicate herself completely to theatre and film. She worked for a cultural program for
radio and studied dramatic arts at the Conservatoire Royal
in Liège with Jacques Delcuvellerie (Groupov- Rwanda 94-Ecole des Maitres) and
Max Parfondry, where she attained the diploma de Premier Prix in June 2000.
Ponzano has directed a number of films. In 2008, she directed the experimental short film "Bagnasciuga" and the short film "Riflessi". They have since been shown at many national and international festivals and won three National prizes in 2010. "La Slitta" is her second short narrative fiction film. She is currently developing the script for her first feature.
I spoke with producer, director and actress, Emanuela Ponzano about the inspiration behind this film and its relevant social message.
La Slitta is a beautiful story about the human condition and the challenges in growing up. Why did you want to tell the story of this boy and his isolation?
Having been born abroad and personally having
had a fair share of the many forms given to the word “immigrant”, I have chosen
to direct my attention to the question of racism, which seems to have made a
predominant come-back to our country and in the rest of Europe. According to
the richly informative “Report on racism in Italy” relative to recent years, it
appears that the current situation is not one to be taken lightly. The rhetoric
of “foreigners stealing our jobs” is what fuels anger towards immigrants. Thus,
in recent years, thanks to a spreading sense of foreboding caused by growing
job insecurity combined with an incessant and alarmist media campaign, the
migratory fluxes from North Africa and Eastern Europe have become targets of a
new and disquieting form of hostility. My motivation for wanting to make this film is the desire to write and
direct a short movie that is authentic, from the heart, and accessible to
everyone; educational in the sense that it will deal with important issues such
as racism and communication barriers between children and parents, as well as
the indoctrination that children receive as part of their upbringing, which can
indeed include racist inclinations that they are not yet able to discern. It’s about
solitude, about dealing with and listening to other people, about dreams of a
better life.
With Emanuela Ponzano at the Bella Basilicata Film Festival |
The surreal component in the form of the “Sled”, as well as being the
symbol of a downhill journey and a way out, lifts the film from its realistic
narrative plane and allows it to add the intimate dimension of a child’s world
and imagination. The sled and its owner, an Albanian boy (with his good sides
and bad, as with everyone) are Alfred’s new friends. Through sport and games
you can unite two different cultures.
In addition to being the director, you play the part of the mother. What
are the challenges in directing yourself?
Well it’s not easy at all. A lot of work goes into
directing, leaving little time to concentrate on acting. So I worked a lot beforehand, and on set, I chose a
good technical team.
I noticed the internationally diverse cast. What
is the Albanian connection?
Well Riccardo Specchio who plays the main
character is half Italian and half Albanian and it is a wonderful coincidence. I
chose to talk about Albania because they were the first immigrants to arrive in
Italy 30 years ago. People are more apt to understand now because they've known
each other for a longer time. It would be more difficult talking about Syrian
people now. There's still too much confusion.
Why did you choose Basilicata as its location?
Well Basilicata came to me. I met lot of people from Basilicata and the Film
Commission was interested in my story. And when I first saw Monte Sirino I was
shocked by the beauty and the immensity of the mountains.
Festival distribution, yes. The world premiere
for "la Slitta" will be in Belgium at the 32 FIFA Festival International du film
d’Amour de Mons on 24 February, and I’m happy about that.
Ponzano has directed a number of films. In 2008, she directed the experimental short film "Bagnasciuga" and the short film "Riflessi". They have since been shown at many national and international festivals and won three National prizes in 2010. "La Slitta" is her second short narrative fiction film. She is currently developing the script for her first feature.
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