Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘I am Aldo Naro’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make documentaries?
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for this interview opportunity. Before "I'm Aldo Naro," I worked on various film projects, including a web series and a feature film.
My first foray into the documentary genre happened in 2015, when I underwent a rigorous selection process for the CSC (Centro Sperimentale Di Cinematografia), a prestigious cinema and documentary academy in Europe that admits only 12 students annually.
It was during my time there that I was introduced to the world of documentary filmmaking and acquired a directing technique that was markedly different from my previous experiences.
Tell us about ‘I am Aldo Naro’. How do you describe it?
"I am Aldo Naro" is an independent documentary project shedding light on flawed investigations and corruption in the pursuit of justice for Aldo Naro's tragic case in Palermo, Sicily.
Aldo Naro was a 25-year-old Sicilian man, on the brink of becoming a doctor, who tragically lost his life during a brawl at a nightclub on the night of his graduation party. Despite being surrounded by friends and a girlfriend, no one wants to discuss the circumstances of his death that night.
As I delved further into the story, complexities emerged, revealing a larger puzzle than initially perceived.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
My favorite directors are David Lynch, whom I had the pleasure of meeting personally and who taught me not to underestimate the dreamlike aspect of storytelling. Kathryn Bigelow, who became the first woman to receive an Academy Award for Best Director for The Hurt Locker, and since I love visual effects, I must mention Baz Luhrmann, who has a truly unique style.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
I have several projects in mind, and some are already written, ranging from feature-length films to series. However, with a substantial budget, I'm particularly curious about creating a 360-degree movie where viewers can experience the story as if they were the protagonist. With the recent release of Apple Glasses (Apple Vision Pro) and new technologies, I believe we're not far from experiencing this new form of cinema.
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
After finalizing the script and storyboard, we move on to pre-production tasks like casting, securing permissions, assembling the crew, and scouting locations. Filming usually starts and may wrap up within a couple of months, depending on scene complexity and locations. Fictional stories require initial effort but can be expedited with good organization. Documentaries face challenges due to the unpredictability of real-life events. For instance, "Aldo Naro" began in 2020 but recently concluded due to unfolding events.
What was the hardest part of making ‘I am Aldo Naro’.
The greatest challenge was in persuading people to open up and share their experiences for this story. Some were hesitant to participate in further interviews, a reluctance rooted in the pervasive cultural fear of speaking out in Sicily. This fear, though possibly unfounded, has been deeply ingrained due to historical manipulation by the mafia. Despite the lack of tangible risks, the looming specter of repercussions persists, perpetuating a cycle of silence across generations.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
I'm returning to horror films for my next project, which will be set in Latvia and inspired by Latvian legends. Given the setting, you can expect inspiration similar to that found in the film "Midsommar."