Last Friday, the Slovenian-Italian co-production masterpiece Zoran, my nephew idiot premiered at the Komuna cinema in Ljubljana. Before that, in the pleasant ambience of the Vander Hotel, we chatted with the filmmakers, who revealed to us their sweetness of life, gourmet pleasures and charming details from behind the scenes of filming.
The story takes us to the border village life, full of modesty, idleness, slight melancholy of traces of the past and gentle joys of almost forgotten customs. A silent actor throughout the film is the wine, bringing both joy and meaning as well as sorrow and comfort.
Read also: Zoran, my idiot nephew
A few hours before the official start of the Slovenian premiere screening of bittersweet cinematic poetics, we discussed all those fragments that make up the mosaic of life in the circle of the wonderful team of director Matteo Oleotto, co-producer Miho Černec and actors Giuseppe Battiston, Roko Prašnikar, Marjuta Slamič and Teco Celia.
How do you view the saying "la dolce vita"?
Matteo Oleotto: I wouldn't exactly say that life is sweet, but more difficult, hard. The central character of the film also portrays this as well.
Marjuta Slamič: Well, I can say that I am an eternal optimist. I find life beautiful and fun. If not, I'll make one. Of course, we have to feel a little bitter from time to time, but in general I can say that I strive for "dolce vita".
Miha Černec: I would repeat the statement of our producer, Igor Primčič, from the film festival in Venice, that through the gathering of such eight, as we also portrayed it in the film, we enjoy life, while movies are just a byproduct of ours "dolce vita". I can say, like this in Italian, "la vita è bella"!
Term Duster: I personally thought that making this film was one of the most beautiful things that ever happened to me, because working with the team was very relaxed and enjoyable.
If you had to fill the glass of life, what inspirations and pleasures would you fill it with?
Matteo Oleotto: I like real life and genuine people. I spend a lot of time in bars just watching people, which is where the seeds of my stories come from. I also draw inspiration from music and literature. I'm currently reading Mike Tyson's autobiography, which I find really entertaining. In fact, I love such men who, growing up in a difficult life, suddenly become wealthy, but at the same time can never fully understand the meaning of fame and money. Simply put, I like the characters of losers, losers.
Marjuta Slamič: People inspire me the most. I also fill my life with the inspiration of nature, light and beautiful buildings.
Miha Černec: Definitely with a movie. I'm really happy that I found such a profession, because somehow I no longer distinguish between private and work. I also enjoy good food and wine.
As lovers of good food and wine, have you perhaps noticed any significant differences between Slovenian and Italian cuisine?
Matteo Oleotto: I like that in Slovenia, people often only eat one large meal a day, while here it seems that we just eat all the time, which wastes energy for other things.
Miha Černec: Well, on the contrary, during our four-month filming in Italy, I was completely fascinated by their way of dining, which can last up to two hours. I learned how to endlessly enjoy food, in the atmosphere of pleasant company, which makes Italian cuisine truly special. This is often lacking here in Slovenia.
Term Duster: I agree, that's exactly what I liked too. When it came time to eat, everything was as it should be, in the style of a divine last supper.
What are your favorite drugs?
Giuseppe Battiston: Definitely the smell of Cabernet Franc wine and freshly cut grass.
Matteo Oleotto: Sugo, an Italian tomato sauce, the smell of which reminds me so much of home.
Marjuta Slamič: Indian curry.
Term Duster: Mozzarella.
Teco Celia: White truffles (laughs).
Miha Černec: I just wanted to tell this anecdote, that Guiseppe said during the filming that we would not be filming on the 18th, because that is the truffle festival in Italy. (laughs) So white truffles are probably really something, for all of us, that represents the very peak of intoxicating taste.
There is also a scene in the film where the village choir passionately sings "Wine is the joy of life". How do you see it?
Matteo Oleotto: For me, wine is the fate of life (laughs).
Giuseppe Battiston: I would say that wine is a path, culture and wonderful things.
Marjuta Slamič: Home, wine is home.
Moving on to the movie, what would you say is what ties the whole story together?
Marjuta Slamič: L'amoooore! (laughter)
Matteo Oleotto: Yes, love. Love of wine! (laughter)
What is the story behind the figure eight as the central scene, for which you also won the Vesna for the best scenography?
Matteo Oleotto: It is a piece of my life in the land where I grew up, not only physically, but also spiritually.
Miha Černec: Eight is a cultural heritage that connects the two countries. You could say that it is a kind of metaphor for coexistence.
And today after the premiere, what will you toast?
Matteo Oleotto: I don't see today as the end, but the beginning of new, wonderful adventures.
Marjuta Slamič: That's right, on to new international adventures. (laughter)
Term Duster: With new insights to even more new insights.
