VIP - VideoChannel Interview Project

Paolo Bonfiglio
videoartist from Italy

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Interview: 10 questions

1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background.

I was born in the north-west of Italy, in a place surrounded by the “Langhe” hills. I started drawing when i was a child, together with my brother, and i have never stopped from then on.
I am a self-taught man, i’ve never attended a specific school or academies.
I think art is a need, more than a passion.
I have experimented with different languages: painting, comics, graphics, animation movies.
I’ve lived in many European towns, i love walking along the streets in Paris, but the hills are still the backcloth of my life.

2. When, how and why started you filming?

I have watched a lot of cartoons, of all kinds, since i was little. I think it was natural for me to be interested in animation movies. The first art film i made as a professional activity is called “Fragments”. In 2004 i had the chance to project live images during the European tour concerts of Mick Harris. Of course i accepted it.

3. What kind of subjects have your films?

I’m very interested in literature and cinema.
My films are about myself, my fears, the world around me, the contemporary life.
Sometimes they deal with a matter i’d like drawing or painting at that time.

4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?

I try to give a visual and emotional sensation, more than telling a story.
Sometimes i manage to do it, because i’m very concerned with the painting language.
The narrative aspect is always under the visual impact. The result of my works is more a discovery than a choice. I like questioning more than giving an answer.
The way i give life to the scenes, the use of the fading carry out a representation wich can be seen and seen again apart from my intentions.
From a starting idea or image, i choose and photograph my models, i make some sketches, i find the right setting and a series of objects, i develop the scenes; the film often changes in comparaison with my starting intentions.

5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.

A laptop, “Abobe Photoshop e Première” softwares, a scanner, a light box, a punch, a film camera and a digital camera. Then pastels, pencils, charcoals, …

6. What are the chances of new media for the genre film/video in general and you personally?

The new medias are fundamental both for the simplification of the carring out and circulation process and for the economic saving.
I think that, without the digital technology and internet i’d have carried out only drawings and paintings, not films.

7. How do you finance your films?

By selling my drawings and original paintings, taken out of my films, to contemporary art collectors.
By the earnings from the “Putan CLUB” plan tour carried out in collaboration with the poet and musician François R. Cambuzat.
Within a few years, we have been into clubs, art centres and squats all over Europe.
If, on the one hand, you learn to give up a quiet life, on the other hand you always struggle against your fears, and it’s good, it make you feel free.
And then, i travel a lot. I like travelling so much, that’s the best antidote to escape from the lonely and sedentary life of the atelier.

8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team? if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?

I work individually, but it would be interesting to try a collaboration.

9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?

For my artistic training i have learnt from François R. Cambuzat’s advice and suggestions.
He has been an exemple for me. Besides i’ve been influenced by Edward Munch’s paintings, David Linch’s short films and Andrea Pazienza’s comics.

10. What are your future plans or dreams as a film/video maker?

I’d like to carry out the series of short films based on Mick Harris’s music.
At present, i’m working on the third movie, “Angeles”.
I think they’ll be seven in total.
I’m going to draw a feature film based on a script and the music by François R. Cambuzat.
This plan will be hard to carry out, but it will probably become a necessity as the bad times go.

Can works of yours viewed online besides on VideoChannel? Where?
www.virb.com/videonero
www.myspace.com/videonero
www.malastradafilm.com