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Lucas Mendes - Interview

I'm a Brazilian filmmaker. I was born in Goiânia, but I built my career and in a way, my professional career in São Paulo. I've worked on several television projects, small advertising projects, and even directed some larger campaigns, but what I really love is making films. I started directing short films in 2010 and continued producing when I moved to São Paulo. Some of my films that were relevant in festivals and film shows were “A Idea (2012 SP)” and “Olhinhos (2013 SP)”. In 2015 I moved to New York and got involved with a theater group in Brooklyn where I met Malik Work. I produced and directed my first feature film with him, a hip-hop musical called “Verses at Work”, which won the Spotlight award at LABRFF in 2016 and recently returned to European festivals. Between 2017 and 2021, I produced and directed several documentaries in partnership with executive producer Heitor Werneck. In 2024, I produced and directed “No”, a feature film based on existentialist works.

What's the absolutely necessary ingredient to be a good actor/director/screenwriter?


I think the main thing is to want it badly. Even more so when producing here in Latin America, making films is an arduous task that requires absolute dedication and is almost masochistic. To become a good director, you need that desire, discipline and, of course, to love cinema and storytelling.


First and last cinematographic crush?


The first is Sergio Leone, I remember the movies I used to watch with my grandfather. The last one is very difficult to say, I'll mention one who is my ideological guru of cinema, John Waters, not for his aesthetic side but for his unique way of telling incredible stories and for his resilience as a filmmaker.


 How old were you when you decided you wanted to be an actor/director/screenwriter?


 Since I was 10, I used to make homemade movies with friends. But I think it was only when I was 18, during a lecture by film critic Lisandro Nogueira, that I decided that was what I really wanted to do in my life.

For you, a film is...


A film is a story, so it can be anything the imagination can dream up. In my latest feature film, the film is more of a nightmare than a dream, and that's the beauty of cinema: the endless possibilities, there are no limits to the frame.


What do you feel when you're acting/directing/writing?


It's hard to say just one thing. Each project makes you feel differently. For example, when I'm shooting a documentary in the middle of 5 million people, the feeling is one of grandeur, fear, and pleasure. When I'm talking to indigenous people in Peru, there's empathy, a feeling of listening. When I'm making a tense film like No, the atmosphere on set also becomes heavier. The important thing is to adapt and always find the right mood for each production, make films, and adapt.


You can go to the movies with an actor/director/screenwriter that you love. 

What kind of movie do you choose and with whom are you going to watch it?


I watch all kinds of movies, but currently, to support the boom in Brazilian cinema, I've been choosing national films. But for me, cinema has no barriers. I watch films by Von Trier, Kleber Mendonça, Tarkovsky, even Star Wars and superhero movies. When I go to the cinema, I go to have fun.


Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible.” What do you think

about it?


As I said before, for cinema, nothing is impossible, you just have to produce it. After all, cinema was born from magic tricks.


Can you live just off your passion?


I am increasingly able to rely on cinema as my main source of income, but I still direct commercials.


What's more important, talent or luck?


Neither talent nor luck exist. What exists is discipline, willpower, resilience, passion—that's what drives your career. And never give up.


You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie...


M o vampiro de Dusseldorf by Fritz Lang.


Have you ever accepted a part/ a movie to direct/ a script to write even if you didn't like the project?


This happens more in advertising. Normally, film proposals come to you because somehow a producer has a connection with the director or the theme or type of film.

What's the best compliment you have received about your job?


The best thing isn't the words, but when you walk into a movie theater and see people's eyes lit up by the screen.


Are you satisfied with your career?


 There is always more to do in my professional career but I feel happier to be able to do the crazy things I want to do.


Do you have a good luck charm?


I think so! Much of what I do in cinema and my way of producing I learned at my samba school, Vai-Vai, in Bixiga, producing carnivals for the avenue, and there's also a certain ~malandragem~ (street smarts) that I learned on those streets that helps me a lot.


 What is the worst moment on set?


 When you have a take that you know can only be done once or twice, the tension to get everything right almost kills me with anxiety.


How do you feel when a job you've been part of is ending?


It's a mixture of happiness and sadness. Happy, because after a long time making a feature film, we can't see the film anymore, because in the process I think watching the film more than 80 times is sad to know that now you won't have any control over it anymore.


 Have you ever lied to get a part/job?


 When I was 17, I started playing in a jazz club because of stories I told the owner.


 If you should win an Oscar, your first thought would go to...


I think first I would talk about my family, my parents, the Vai-Vai samba school, and my beloved Bixiga.

Adam King - Interview

Adam King is a young, aspiring writer from Barbados who enjoys writing poetry, screenplays, stageplays and songs. He is currently enrolled at Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas where he is majoring in Writing and Editing - Creative Writing. Adam also enjoys playing the piano and guitar and is an avid lover of all things theatre and film.

When did you decide you wanted to be an actor/director/screenplayer?


I decided I wanted to be a screenwriter in 2021 after watching the first season of the HBO series, Euphoria. I remember being thoroughly moved and impacted by the storyline       and direction of the series that I then realized I wanted to have that same impact on others with my stories. 


How did your family react?


My family reacted very openly to my new interest. For my entire life up until that point, I always dreamed of being a pilot. But my family also knows that when I have my mind         set on a particular task or interest, I follow through with and go all in. So there was no doubt in their mind that I wouldn't at least work hard towards it. 


Do you have a Muse or a Role Model?


I'd say my muse is mostly personal experience. A lot of my work tends to be inspired by autobiographical events, feelings, issues or things I just have to say about the world. I  don't like to use the term "role model" but I am a very big fan of Barry Jenkins' work and I use his scripts as sort of a blueprint to better mine.

Who's your biggest fan?


My family is my biggest fan. They all support and encourage me in the best way possible! So one day, I hope to make them really, really, proud.


What brings you inspiration the most?


Oddly, I think the night is very inspiring. There's something about the darkness and twinkles of light that just pulls the most out of me. But I do also enjoy being out in nature as well. Seeing life in its purest form also inspires me to do the same with my work.


Which actor or director would you like to work with?

 

As previously mentioned, I'm a huge fan of Barry Jenkins so being able to work with him would be a dream come through. I'd also love to work with Sam Levinson as well because I think his directing is absolutely phenomenal. 


Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?

 

I don't know. This one is tough. I do tend to favour the books because that's how the story was originally meant to be told. But I did enjoy the recent adaptation of It Ends With Us.


What's the movie that taught you the most?


This might be a little corny but really the original 1994 Lion King movie has honestly left an indelible mark in my life. To this day, it still is my favourite movie and I watched it for       the first time when I was 6 years old. That story will forever be one that melts my heart and it continues to inspire me to write something for people that leaves just half of  impactful as a mark that it has had on me.


About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?


No, I haven't. I enjoy what I do, even if the rewards aren't coming. So I just remember to be grateful and humble when those rewards do come.


On set, what excites you the most?


Unfortunately, I have never been on a set. But I can't wait for the day that I hopefully get to experience it!

What's your next project?


I am currently in the process of writing my first official pilot. It's a project that I am very excited about and I can't wait to share it with others!


You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?


I wouldn't choose anyone. Everyone's path to success is unique to them so I'd rather enjoy the path and career that I am currently on!


An actor/director/screenplayer is made of...


Passion. I think to be in this industry you have to be passionate about what you do. There is a lot of rejection involved in this field so having the passion to keep pushing  yourself to grow and work on your craft is what defines you and your career. 


For you Cinema is...

 

Art in motion. 


Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?


Oh, absolutely. There is something so beautiful about stripping a piece of art of its colour. Because of this, the movie has to be centered around the storyline and acting because no real visuals are in play and I think that really brings out the power of storytelling.


Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

 

Yeah, of course. That's one of my biggest dreams. Being noticed and appreciated by the Academy would be nothing short of extraordinary for me. 


Do you think you're gonna win it?


I mean...a man can dream. I'd be very much satisfied and grateful just for the nomination but a win would truly be life and career-defining.

Gabriel Boyer - Interview

Gabriel Boyer is a French filmmaker driven by an ambitious and popular cinematic vision. After Plein Gaz, his very first short film — a burst of adrenaline and energy inspired by 1980s Hollywood cinema — he directed Go West, his second short film, which is now being developed as a feature-length adaptation. Through his films, Gabriel Boyer claims an intense and sensory approach to directing, where every minute counts and emotion and rhythm are central. Whether it’s urban chases or epic adventure stories, his aim is always to recreate on the big screen the unique atmosphere of the films that have inspired generations of moviegoers.

 The biggest challenge of being an actor/director/screenwriter is…


Staying true to yourself while constantly reinventing yourself. You have to dig deep for what’s most authentic inside you, while facing other people’s expectations, failures, and the pressure to deliver. The real challenge isn’t just to make films or act, but to push your ideas as far as possible, even when everything pushes you to conform or censor yourself. You have to have the courage to defend a vision, to take emotional risks. Ultimately, the greatest challenge is to dare to remain unique and free — and never forget why you started.

 

Choose an Actor, Choose an Actress...and now choose a story you would like to direct or play with both of them:


For the actor, I choose Jean Dujardin. For me, he represents elegance, precision, and that rare ability to be both charismatic, funny, and deep.

For the actress, I choose Margot Robbie. I admire her ambition, her drive to reinvent herself with every role, and her willingness to take risks.

With them, I’d love to direct a contemporary drama about redemption and rebirth, as a road movie. Two wounded souls, opposites in every way, forced to travel together: that’s where transformation happens. A story of emancipation and hope, where every landscape mirrors an inner state.

 

Who’s the first Artist that let you understand you wanted to be an actor/director/screenwriter?


For me, it all started with Steven Spielberg. As a child, watching his films, I realized you could move, amaze, make people dream and touch them deeply, all at once. He turned cinema into a universal experience, rich in emotion. Spielberg made me see that a well-told story can change how people see the world, give hope, and unite generations. Thanks to him, I knew I wanted to tell stories for a living.

 What really excites you artistically or emotionally?


What excites me most is that moment when everything aligns: when emotion bursts out on set, when a scene takes on a new dimension, when a glance or a silence says everything words can’t. Artistically, I love pushing boundaries: daring, surprising, doing things I’ve never seen before. What moves me most is cinema’s ability to reach someone, somewhere, perhaps thousands of miles away, and make them feel less alone. Creating that invisible connection is what gives me energy every day.

 

Marlon Brando said “Never confuse the size of your Paycheck with the size of your talent”. Do you agree?


Absolutely. Money, recognition, fame — none of that guarantees talent, sincerity, or artistic courage. Many great artists struggled, doubted, or went unrecognized before their time. For me, talent is daring to be yourself and pushing your vision, even if it doesn’t pay off right away. The real ‘paycheck’ is the mark you leave on your audience. Money can open doors, but it will never replace passion or truth.

 

Have you ever been discouraged by someone about your life/career choices?


Of course. As soon as you choose a different or risky path, people will always tell you to take the safe road, to do what’s reasonable. I was often told cinema was too hard, too risky, that few make it. But for me, that risk is what makes it worth it. I’ve always used other people’s doubt as fuel. Every time someone tried to discourage me, it pushed me to go even further and prove it was possible. Paradoxically, adversity gave me the strength to own my calling and believe even more in my dreams.

 

Do you think it is harder for a woman being a Filmmaker?


Yes, I do. Things are changing, but for a long time the film industry was a very male-dominated world, with barriers for women both visible and invisible. Today, more women are emerging and making their mark, but there’s still work to be done for true equality — especially in terms of creative and financial power. I truly believe that more diverse perspectives make cinema richer. We need to keep opening doors, supporting those who dare, and challenging our habits so that every voice, male or female, can fully express itself.

 

Do you think that Fame and money could easily change your own Vision as a Filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?


Fame and money are tests, not goals. They challenge your sincerity, your ability to stay true to what first drove you. It’s easy to get swept up, to try to please everyone, to choose comfort when success arrives. But real strength is keeping your own line, holding onto your voice — even in the spotlight.

And right now, I’m lucky enough to be preparing my first feature film without being famous or rich. That gives me total freedom: I can put all my raw force into this film, with no compromise, no calculation. I create for passion, not recognition. What protects me is remembering why I chose this job: to tell real stories, to move, invent, transmit. Recognition is a bonus, not a driver. If I ever have to betray myself for money or fame, I’d rather quit. The real luxury is staying true to your vision, no matter the circumstances.

 

Who’s the Movie star that made you dream for the first time?


The first movie star who truly made me dream was Tom Cruise. Seeing him in films like Top Gun, Rain Man or Minority Report, I was fascinated by his energy, his determination, and his constant drive to go further — physically and emotionally. Tom Cruise is the embodiment of the American dream: bold, taking risks, never choosing the easy way out. He made me see that cinema could make the impossible possible, and push you to go beyond your own limits.

 

Make a wish about your career...


My wish is to keep making films that matter, that move people, that inspire — and to go further every time in ambition, freedom, and boldness. I hope each project is a step towards something bigger: reaching audiences around the world, collaborating with artists who push me higher, and never losing the fire that made me start. And, of course, I also dream of winning the highest honor in cinema for a French filmmaker — as Jean Dujardin did with The Artist. Not just for the recognition, but for what it means: that an 'impossible' dream can come true with sincerity, talent, and perseverance. Ultimately, I want to make a film that leaves a lasting mark, that gives someone, somewhere, the desire to believe in their own dreams.

Talking about cinema/Showbusiness, how hard is it to remain completely honest to yourself as an artist?


It’s one of the biggest challenges in this profession. There are always temptations: to please, to follow trends, to do what’s expected rather than what you really believe in. Staying true to yourself means going against the current, taking risks, disappointing some people — but that’s the only way to last and to leave a genuine mark. Artistic honesty is what makes the difference between a film that entertains and one that moves people. It’s not always easy: you have to hold on to your vision, resist pressure, own your choices — even alone. But in the end, it’s the only luxury that counts: being able to look yourself in the eye and know you gave something real.

 

The Film you have loved the most?


No hesitation: Top Gun.

That film has everything for me: energy, style, music, speed, but also real emotion, a sense of myth, and that drive to go further. It’s more than an action film, it’s a love letter to dreams, to friendship, to risk, to the open sky. Every time I watch it, I get the same urge to go for it, to dare, to never give up on what drives me. Top Gun shows the power of popular cinema that never sacrifices ambition or heart.

 

And now, don’t be shy… the one that annoyed you the most?


Honestly, probably a film I’ve already forgotten! (laughs)

I try not to dwell on what bores me, but rather remember what challenges or surprises me. Even a bad film can teach you what you don’t want to do… so I just move on.

 

Your biggest artistic goal is…


To make Go West exactly as I imagine it, with no compromise.

To carry this vision to the end, keep the energy of the beginning, and risk everything for a film that is 100% me. If I can do that, I’ll have already accomplished a big part of my dream.

 

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?


No hesitation: lawyer. Defending a cause, standing up for someone, persuading through words and storytelling… In a way, it’s close to cinema: telling, moving, trying to change others’ minds. It’s a different fight, but always for some kind of truth.

 

How important is it to be rewarded as an Artist?


Being rewarded is recognition, and of course it feels good. But it’s not an end in itself. Awards give you visibility, confidence, sometimes opportunities. But what really matters is the impact you have, the emotion you share with the audience. I dream of being rewarded, yes, because it proves the work touched people. But I’d rather have a single moved spectator than a trophy on a shelf. The real reward is being true to yourself and managing to share something unique.

 

Do you have regrets?


I don’t think it’s ever good to have regrets. At least, I don’t regret not trying. I’ve always preferred to try, to take risks, even to make mistakes, rather than live with the frustration of never knowing. Mistakes are part of the journey, but what matters is moving forward without looking back and owning your choices.

 

What’s the message you want to express through your art?


Jump into the unknown, try, make mistakes — but never give up!

The only real failure is not daring. The rest is experience, living, and maybe… the key to growing.

Espen Jan Folmo & Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold - Interview

Norwegian co-directors Espen Jan Folmo, Ph.D. and Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold fuse psychology, cultural research and visual poetry into films designed to spark collective transformation. Folmo spent a decade leading Norway’s Quality Lab for Psychotherapy, advancing research on mentalization and cultural change, while Myhrvold’s background spans trauma-sensitive environmental therapy and executive studies at Hult International Business School. Their debut feature, LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution, distils cutting-edge science and mythic storytelling into an animated odyssey that has earned more than 100 international awards—including multiple Gold Awards at the Florence Film Awards, Best Educational Film at the Cannes World Film Festival, and Best Picture & Best Animation at the London Movie Awards.

When did you realised you wanted to be a Filmmaker\Actor\Writer?


We realised we wanted to make films in our early thirties, when years of psychotherapy research, journalism and midnight debates fused into one conviction: cinema is the only medium spacious enough to hold science, poetry and soul at once.


Do you remember your first time at the Movies?




We do remember our first trip to the movies—a tiny art-house screening of Stalker when we were eleven. One slow tracking shot over water-logged leaves convinced us that film can rearrange reality’s molecules; we walked out different.


If you should change country where would you like to work?




If we ever uprooted, we’d plant ourselves in Kyoto—drawn by the craft ethos of Japanese studios and the country’s reverence for silence and negative space, both of which suit our “scientifically-poetic” style.

Two films that have marked your life for better or for worse…


Two compass-films have marked us: The Matrix cracked open our sense of reality and still reads like a psychological documentary in disguise, while Groundhog Day keeps teaching that repetition can be a doorway to transcendence.


What do you think about Acting/ filmmaking schools?


Film schools are wonderful dojos for technique—provided they don’t convince students that craft outranks curiosity. The real curriculum is letting the film transform you rather than moulding yourselves to an algorithm.

Like the Wachowski siblings, we create in full tandem—trading roles, finishing each other’s sentences, two minds chasing one vision.


Have you ever hated your ambition?




Yes, we’ve hated our ambition—usually at 3 a.m. while colour-grading frame 17 642—but that same restlessness drags impossible projects into daylight.


Francois Truffaut used to think that "Film Lovers are sick people”… was
he right?




Truffaut said film-lovers are “sick people.” If so, count us joyfully infected; the symptoms are chronic curiosity and heightened empathy.


Close your eyes…if I say “Cinema” what do you see?




Close our eyes and the word “cinema” becomes a projector beam made of living dust—pure brilliancy, the light that lets all other colours shine.


Who’s the Director\Actor\Writer that taught you the most?




The mentor who tutors us daily is Andrei Tarkovsky; a single shot of his teaches us a semester’s worth of patience.


About your job, tell us your biggest dream and your worst nightmare…




Biggest dream: to craft a shared-dream feature where audience brainwaves weave the final cut in real time. Worst nightmare: that we mistake algorithmic applause for artistic evolution and stop taking risks.


How important is to have a good Cinematographic Culture?




A deep cinematographic culture is oxygen; without it the work grows thin and gasps for context

What would you like to improve as a Filmmaker\Actor\Writer?




What we most want to improve is the art of surrender—letting the film direct us as much as we direct the film.


A big producer give you the chance to direct\to play (in) the remake of
one of your favorite black and white Movie (if you have one)… what film
do you choose?




Given carte blanche to remake a black-and-white classic, we’d choose Bergman’s Persona and refract its dualities through real-time deep-fake blends so viewers can’t tell whose face is whose.


Film Industry it’s a tough place and sometimes is normal to feel lost
and discouraged… who’s the person that keeps you motivated?


When discouragement prowls, we become each other’s lighthouse; one look and the work remembers why it exists.


Alfred Hitchcock said: "To make a good film you need 3 things: The
script, the script and the script".  Do you agree with him?


We agree with Hitchcock: the script, the script, the script—plus the invisible fourth script hidden in the edit, where rhythm rewrites every page.




What’s your  most ambitious project for the future?


Our most ambitious future venture is a time-capsule film that asks our descendants to judge us, then uses dream-recording tech to let them answer back.


Do you think that sadness or at least melancholy let be more creative?


Melancholy is creative compost; it darkens the soil so new shoots can grip.


What do you wish to yourself as a Filmmaker\Actor \Writer?


We wish ourselves the courage to stay beginners, the stamina to serve stories larger than our egos, and the grace to end every project a little more awake than when we began.

Michelle Taubman - Interview

As of May 2025 Michelle has received over 451 career awards between her filmmaking, writing and acting. She has set a record in history winning as many international film festival awards in a short period of time as an independent artist in the motion picture industry. Her short film “An Ever After Drama” has received over 200 international awards, including 73 for best actress. Her screenplays have received 234 screenplay awards . She won the notable Winter 2023 Red Movie Awards for Best Actress, and the Red Movie Awards 2023 Summer for Best Script, putting her in the annual competition with greats like Tom Holland. Tom Holland won the best actor category in the summer edition of the Red Movie Film Festival putting her talent at A-list level. She also won best Actress for the Spring 2023 NicoMedia Film Awards. She was a finalist at the 2024 Red Movie Film Festival for Best Actress. Her portfolio consists of 11 feature scripts, a short film, and four books.

What's the absolutely necessary ingredient to be a good actor/director/screenplayer? 

I don’t think it’s one size fit all approach to be a good actor, good director or screenwriter. First, each role encompasses different ingredients to be good.  All do require hard work, a creative imagination, and a connection to the story.   I think to be a good Actor you must be prepared, calm, and adaptable to the director’s vision and the story. To be a good director you have to understand the screenwriter’s vision and the outcome you want the audience to feel when they watch the movie. Finally, to be a good screenwriter, you must have a story that resonates deeply in your soul, and understand the flow of the genre and dialect of the story. All parts, the beginning, middle, and ending must be in sync. 

How old you were when you decided you wanted to be an actor/director/screenplayer?

I knew as young as 7 years old I wanted to work in the motion picture business. When I told others they all thought I was day dreaming, and said the chances of that ever happening are slim to none on a small town everyday girl. 

For you a Film is... 

An escape to let go and live a new journey. 

What do you feel when you're acting/directing/writing?


When I am acting, directing and writing  I feel like I am in a new adventure  that is pushing me to change,  and grow in a whole new light. . 


You can go to the Movies with an actor/director/screenplayer that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who you're gonna whatch it?


The kind of movie that I would watch would be historical fiction in the areas  of drama, or action. I would love to go with someone who has lived into the 90’s and even 100’s. I find elderly individuals  have  a wisdom  that can add an amazing perspective. 


Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?


I agree with this motto because you are as big as your mindset. If you believe big things are going to happen then they will, but you must be prepared to work in the storms, and shine light in the shadows.  Nothing in life that is good comes easy, you must work for it.


Can you live just of your passion?


Passion and life are interchangeable.  You need both to get you out of bed, to have a purpose, and to shine light. I believe those that live with just passion are content, and grateful in the moment. 


 What's more important talent or luck?


I think you need both. Talent combined with hard work creates luck.  Luck is never random and it’s fueled with hard work and talent. 


You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie…


“Cinderella” because I love fairy tales. 


Have you ever accepted a part/ a movie to direct/ a script to write even if you didn't like the project?


I would never accept a part I didn’t like or connect to.

What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?


The 451 film festival and writing awards that I have received through out the competitions. Each award is a compliment that judges from around the world give my work merit and creditability  after everything I have gone through in proving myself as a talented storyteller, actress, and filmmaker.  


Are you satisfied about your career?


I  think you can never be hundred percent satisfied because then you stop growing and learning.


Which is the worst moment on set ?


I think there no particular moment that sticks out. All the collective moments contribute to the end result of a film project. Whether it’s good or no so good, everything is perspective and in the end it’s how everyone works together to make a great movie. 


How do you feel when a job you've been part of it's ending?


I feel amazing that I got to be part of such an amazing project that will hopefully impact others.


Have you ever lied to get a part/job?


Never, because I believe in Karma, and what you get comes around.


If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to…


If I was to win an Oscar, my first thought would be gratitude and amazement for the huge blessing and honor it would be to win an Oscar. To know that my work has made not just impact on others but a legendary one that would live on forever. I would thank the spiritual world, god, and my strong mindset for never giving up.  Finally , to know I would be a  shining light for others to follow their dreams in spite of the forecast. 

Pablo Fernández - Interview

Pablo Fernández is an award–winning filmmaker and journalist with over 20 years of experience. He was born and raised in Argentina, and now lives in the United States. Pablo co–directed and co–produced the documentary The Voice of the Mapuche, which was selected at over 30 international film festivals and won awards in the categories of Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights, Environment, and Cultural Diversity. Prior to that project, Pablo had performed various roles in the production of other documentaries, such as Septembers, One Year One Day, Code Name: Butterflies, and El Yali Wetlands: The Heritage of Water. Pablo holds a Master of Science degree in Global Media, a Graduate Certificate in Translation and Conference Interpreting, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Latin American Literature. Most importantly, he has been to every continent and he has swum in the waters of all three major oceans.

 Do you prefer Comedy or Drama?


My first instinct would be to say that I prefer Drama, although this category can be very broad. Drama would include historical films, which is my favorite genre. However, Comedy can also be used to convey serious messages, so it really depends on the context and the issues that the film would cover.


Life imitates Art or Art imitates Life?


I would say that Art imitates Life, and on many occasions it falls short. As Gabriel García Márquez once said, reality almost always surpasses any dimension of fiction that human beings can think of.


Which is the best Moment on set?


My background is in documentary filmmaking, and I have been part of the crew during reenactments. I think that the best moment on set is when you realize that actors have truly become the characters that they are representing, and the two personalities are undistinguishable.

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?


No, and even if anyone had dared, I would have never paid attention. I have never suffered from what some people call “impostor syndrome”. I have never felt that I don’t deserve to be in the place that I have reached through enormous effort and sacrifice. My family is working class. We don’t come from any privileged elite. My parents always taught me and my siblings that all human beings are worthy of the same dignity and respect, and that if you had to work much harder than others to get where you are, then you deserve even more credit.


How can you stay focused on your goal?


I think that keeping your mind on the message that you want to convey with the film is a very good way to stay focused on your goal. The main issue to me is always the message or messages that the film is intended to convey.


Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?


No, but I am also a journalist, and the stress of a newsroom, especially in television, can really push you to the limit.


Talent is a blessing or a curse?


Talent is definitely a blessing. The problem is when you live in a system that is not designed to encourage human flourishing across the board for every member of society, a system that reserves flourishing for the privileged few. That is the problem.


What would you like to improve about yourself as an

actor/director/screenplayer?


I would like to be more prolific. I know that working in cinema is my passion, but I have often relegated this passion because I have felt that it was necessary to work in other sectors in order to pay the unrelenting barrage of bills that we all get every month.


What's the worst criticism that you have received?


That my works fall short in showing the true scope and magnitude of state repression. I struggle with this dilemma every time, although I know that it is not possible to be there at every moment that agents of the state execute repressive actions against people who are fighting for their rights.


If you weren't an actor/director/screenplayer what would you like to be?


I would dedicate all my time to growing nutrient-packed high-quality organic food in order to achieve self-sufficiency and to be able to teach future generations that we don’t have to depend on Big Ag multinational corporations.


If Cinema was a color what would it be?


It would definitely be Blue, because it is the color of the forces of the Universe, and Cinema is a universal language that unites us all.

A day without a movie is…


A day in which we would miss the opportunity to learn from other human beings and other cultures.


If someone offered you to play/direct/write in/a movie that you despise

but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?


Absolutely NOT. I have never been, and I will never be complicit in working on a project that conveys concepts that do not align with my values. This is strictly out of the question.


What's your greatest ambition?


To tell the stories of those who don’t have access to global media, including film.


What's your biggest fear?


Leaving this material world while feeling that I have not done enough to make it a better place.


Does music help you to play/direct, write?


Yes! I could never work without music. My playlists are very comprehensive, mostly made up of reggae, blues, jazz, and African music, among other genres.


You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the

audience?


If Charles Chaplin was able to convey universal messages against oppression, that would be my model. I would try to imitate Chaplin, the grand master.


Share your speech if you should win an Oscar.....


This award is for the courageous people of Vieques, in Puerto Rico, who continue to show the whole world that it is possible to overcome oppression, even if the oppressors are very powerful. The oppressors often possess the most modern weaponry, but they cannot break the will of a people who are determined to continue resisting. The steadfastness of the people of Vieques, spanning over 70 years, is a shining light of hope that reaches all corners of the world. And, any similarity with current struggles is not a coincidence.


While I am very happy to win this Oscar, I had already received the best award of all. My nieces told me that by writing the screenplay for The Battle of the Fishermen and by having won recognition across the globe, I have already won the “Cool Uncle Award”.

Palmer Durr - Interview

Palmer Durr is from Bluffton, Indiana, USA. He is a film director and cinematographer who has worked in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Europe. He has invested over a decade with the Kayapó Indigenous Community of the Amazon Rainforest, where he directed the film “Kukràdjà” and taught film-craft to help preserve cultural tradition.

 When did you realise you wanted to be a Filmmaker\Actor\Writer?


In 2009, I was 18 years old and realized that filmmaking combined everything I had learned or had been exposed to and experienced up until that point.


Do you remember your first time at the Movies?




Yes, The Lion King 1993.


If you should change country, where would you like to work?




New Zealand. 

Two films that have marked your life for better or for worse…


The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Yi-yi


What do you think about Acting/ filmmaking schools?


Schools, for the most part, are truly amazing. They teach our craft, provide community, and can have career perks. However, film school, as in life, isn’t a guarantee of anything, and there are other ways to build people networks or access educational resources. In either case, you won’t get much out of any experience if you aren’t self-reflective and don’t know what you want to achieve or who you are.


Have you ever hated your ambition?




Never


Francois Truffaut used to think that "Film Lovers are sick people”… was he right?




I get where he’s coming from—filmmaking is mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging. He implies that filmmakers are insane for willingly choosing to endure the pain and uncertainty that accompany the medium. But challenging activities can also forge strength, wisdom, and character. Your character as a human being can improve by being a filmmaker, so long as you can regulate your emotions and believe in yourself in the context of chaos.  


Close your eyes…if I say “Cinema” what do you see?




Robot Jox


Who’s the Director\Actor\Writer that taught you the most?




What makes this question so hard is the idea of an ultimate choice, because I’ve learned a great deal from many production crew members (which in my opinion includes actors and directors)… One would be Dennis Villanueva, who works with Joe Walker, Hans Zimmer, incredible actors, excellent DPs, illustrators, and more. He puts a lot of energy into pre-production, and his sensibilities are powerful. I think he still has room to grow, like every human I know, but there is no question that he, as a contemporary director, has taught me a great deal. 


About your job, tell us your biggest dream and your worst nightmare…




My biggest dream is to shoot a short film I’ve written, about a woman and divine beings in Peru. My worst nightmare would be having an accident on a production that results in death or serious injury. 


How important is to have a good Cinematographic Culture?




It’s very important to have cinematic culture because it allows people to communicate complex ideas that generate an empathetic bond between the audience and the characters. The world needs empathy more than anything else!

What would you like to improve as a Filmmaker\Actor\Writer?




I want to generate and do more scripted narrative work as a filmmaker. 


A big producer give you the chance to direct\to play (in) the remake of one of your favorite black and white Movie (if you have one)… what film do you choose?




I don’t think you can remake a film, but you can copy the elements and generate an impersonation of an idea. I don’t want to impersonate some of my favorites, because I don’t think I can do the source material justice. That being said, something like “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” could be done, because the source material has enough room for new energy and ideas. Other films like “Hiroshima, Mon Amour” or “Seven Samurai” or “Sorry, Wrong Number” have such a distinct aura that I don’t think a remake could do them justice, though, as an exercise, it could be fun.


Film Industry it’s a tough place and sometimes is normal to feel lost and discouraged… who’s the person that keeps you motivated?


I’m deeply inspired by the Kayapó filmmakers I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years, whose powerful use of film serves as both a means of cultural preservation and a vital act of resistance in defense of their identity and continued existence.


Alfred Hitchcock said: "To make a good film you need 3 things: The script, the script and the script".  Do you agree with him?



I disagree, because a script is like a genetic code, containing the roots of a film, but that code does not determine an outcome. There are instances where non-script-related ideas are incorporated during the process, because they feel truer. 



What’s your most ambitious project for the future?


I have a film idea that incorporates experiences and ideas that I’ve had in the Kayapó Indigenous Territory. 


Do you think that sadness or at least melancholy let be more creative?


I don’t think you must be sad or melancholy to increase creativity. To increase creativity, you must eliminate distractions and have dreams. If you have a dream while you’re awake, you’re even closer. 


What do you wish to yourself as a Filmmaker\Actor\Writer?


I wish to be the best version of myself so that I can better endure the realities of the world. 

Reginald Baskerville - Interview

Experienced Principal Actor and content producer with a demonstrated history of working in feature films, national television, and on the stage. Strong professional creative skilled in film, television, voice, & theater with a heart and capacity for educating youth as a school leader. Originally "from the slums of Shaolin" (Staten Island), the NYC world, traveling throughout the country, along with being able to observe people abroad has built a muscle. That muscle is anointed to be flexed within entertainment and education.

When did you decide you wanted to be an actor/director?


When I got on the campus of Morgan State University back in 91’ my major was telecommunications, which they now call media studies. As soon as I picked up a camera and got on a stage I knew I wanted to make movies. I had fun while earning my degree by making video shorts, and by working the stage.


How did your family react?


My family has been on the journey with me. I have a strong group of siblings, aunts, uncles, and people on the periphery who demonstrate their support for what I have been doing with film and tv through giving time. They give by taking time to watch something I’m acting in, or by downloading something they know I have produced.


Do you have a muse or a role model?


I think my work is inspired by my love for people and how people interact with each other. Specifically, when I was a youngin in Bedford Stuyvesant my dad took me to see a live play starring the son of one of his teacher co-workers. The co-worker was Laurence Fishburne’s mom. After watching that play with Laurence Fishburne as a teenager, and then seeing Mr. Fishburne’s film and television career level up, I gained an understanding of the power of performance.

Who is your biggest fan?


My biggest fan is probably my lady Asia, my family, and I’m hoping a few of my co-workers. Asia is the one who listens to me talk about the work all the time, helps me with my auditions, travels with me to the cities where the work is, and totally allows me to bore her with everything film and tv I’m talking about.


What actor or director would you like to work with?


I want to work on a large scale production with any of the legends. One of my most memorable moments to date on the acting side has been to work on a Christmas film set opposite John Schneider (Bo Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard). I’d also gotten a brief moment a few years back to share a scene with Annabella Sciora. It is so dope to be in position to work with the

seasoned, and the loved. As a background actor I was able to observe Martin Scorscese, Steven Speilberg, Sallie Richardson, and others lead large scale sets. Those opportunities fueled my curiosity, and energized my passion for the work on both sides of the camera.


Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?


Crime Partners written by Donald Goines came out as a movie in 2001 starring Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, and Ja-Rule. I read some of Donald Goines' books back in the day and was pleased to see that someone had invested in bringing the stories to the big screen. After Crime Partners, the film Never Die Alone came out starring DMX. Again, I was pleased to see the interest in bringing Donald Goines’ work back into focus.


What’s that movie that taught you the most?


In reflecting on what film has taught me the most, Michael Moore’s documentary films that hit the scene really caught my attention. They were so informative and so authentically done. Sicko, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 were all documentary films that captivated the

country, and even the world, instantly.


On set what excites you the most?


On set I am motivated by being in the moment. Once I see cameras, lights, headphones, book mics, and people moving around I am powered up.


What scares you the most?


My only fear is to not be able to access opportunities that put me in position to experience that.

You can steal the career of an artist, who do you choose?


I would not necessarily like to steal their career but I respect the direction of the careers of Jordan Peel, Ava Duvernay, Anthony Mackey, Rob Morgan, and Russell Hornsby. These artists have been putting it down for years on the big screen, adding emotional value to the storytelling in the things they are a part of.


What is your next project?


My next acting project coming in 2025 is a feature film, Los Ones. I joined forces again with Christopher Kendrick, the writer and director of Fattenin’ Frogs for Snakes. On the short film tip, Blind Justice and Alright are two independent projects that recently allowed me to play in front of the camera.

However, from behind the lens, my next producer/director project is Cappadonna’s That’s MY WORD! This project Is a four part documentary series. We have only shared episode 1 on incarceration through the film festival circuit. We are preparing to release episode 2 on addiction, episode 3 on special education, and the fourth installment will focus on the culture.


We are excited to bring these community conversations to the world.


For you cinema is…?


Cinema for me is a perfect medium for storytelling. As an actor, writer, producer, or director the ability to use your gifts and foundational knowledge to create content and characters people can enjoy, and learn from, is a heck of a purpose to have in our world.


Do you think Black & White movies have a powerful impact?


I have used black and white movie clips, and cartoon clips. I have fun with the nostalgic and historic feel of Black and White film. While making Cappadonna’s That’s My WORD! I have had fun researching the archives.


Have you ever dreamed of winning an oscar?


Of course I have. I have dreamed of winning an oscar for directing and acting. Laurence Olivier, Warren Beatty, Clint Eastwood are names of people who have been on both sides of the lens on that oscar level.


Do you think you are going to win it?


Should I think of any other outcome?

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