Due Anime: An Interview with Luca Moncalvo

Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Due Anime’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?

My journey started at the intersection of storytelling and visual communication. I’m a director and CEO of Black Fox Video Srl, a media agency where I’ve developed a language that blends cinematic narrative with commercial storytelling.

In 2018, together with my friend and producer Mircea Ioan Cazac, I made my first film, 7,14. The title was inspired by a verse from the Book of Isaiah, which served as a powerful metaphor and narrative spark.

From that experience, in 2025, we founded Sette14 Film, our production company focused entirely on meaningful, emotionally-driven stories with strong visual identity. I didn’t study filmmaking in an academic setting—I learned by doing, by failing, by observing, and by building each project with passion and care.

Tell us about ‘Due Anime’. How do you describe it?

Due Anime is a short film about absence, silence, and broken bonds. It’s an intimate story that explores the emotional distance between family members when time and pain make reconnection difficult.

I aimed to create a minimalistic narrative—one built on gestures, glances, and the weight of what remains unsaid. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead invites the viewer to listen between the lines.

This film came to life thanks to the incredible sensitivity and talent of the cast: Elisabetta Pellini, Sara Marconi, Mattia Tarantino, Beatrice Ragonesi, and Edoardo Rossi, who gave truth and depth to every scene.

And thanks to Mattia Cavaliere, director of photography and longtime collaborator, whose ability to visually translate emotions is an essential part of the film’s soul.

Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.

I’m deeply inspired by filmmakers who have created their own unique language. I admire Paolo Sorrentino for the way he blends beauty and melancholy, telling stories through images as much as through words.

I respect Steven Spielberg for his incredible versatility—crossing genres and generations while always remaining emotionally authentic, whether in epic blockbusters or intimate dramas.

And I’m fascinated by Christopher Nolan for his narrative ambition, his ability to build complex structures that remain accessible, and his strong visual impact.

Three very different directors, but all capable of balancing emotional depth and audience engagement with a distinct artistic voice.

If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?

I’d love to develop a film that combines emotional intensity, narrative tension, and a strong visual identity. I’m drawn to stories that speak to the present through metaphor—stories that raise questions more than offer answers.

My ideal project is one that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll—not because of shock, but because of emotional resonance. The genre doesn’t matter as much as the truth behind the storytelling.

Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?

For me, it all begins with preparation. I dedicate a lot of time to pre-production—solid scripts, detailed shot lists, clear schedules, and constant communication with every department.

On set, I aim to maintain a calm but focused environment. Every scene has its own rhythm, and each day of shooting has a purpose. Planning is essential, but I always leave room for intuition—that spark of unpredictability that can elevate a scene beyond what was imagined.

What was the hardest part of making ‘Due Anime’?

The greatest challenge was finding emotional balance. The film is built on subtle shifts and silence, so directing the actors through complex, internal emotions without overplaying or flattening them was delicate work.

As with many independent projects, limited resources also demanded creativity and flexibility. But those very limitations often pushed us toward more authentic and inventive choices.

If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?

We’re currently developing several projects with Sette14 Film, both short and feature-length, spanning a range of tones and formats. Some are more introspective, others more mainstream.

Without revealing too much, I can say my focus remains the same: telling stories that are honest, emotionally resonant, and visually distinctive—stories that connect with the audience on a deeper level.