“The Souffleur” by Gaston Solnicki, in competition in the Orizzonti section, stands out for its organic and emotionally charged approach to storytelling. Solnicki shies away from conventional narratives, instead opting for a more spontaneous method—often involving non-traditional actors who bring authenticity and freshness to the project. This approach not only enriches the film’s texture but also invites viewers into a genuinely immersive experience. We went deeper into the film’s philosophy and production in a talk with the director and the film’s star, Willem Dafoe, on the day of the premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.

The creation of “The Souffleur” was a highly collaborative journey. According to the filmmakers, it began with a simple conversation about making a feature film. “We started talking about doing something together,” one explained, emphasising the unpredictable and complex nature of their process. Unlike traditional productions with rigid scripts, this project evolved organically, blending spontaneous moments with carefully chosen locations to evoke emotion and beauty.

A defining characteristic of “The Souffleur” is its unconventional cast. Instead of relying solely on trained actors, Solnicki involved individuals who are not normally actors, contributing a sense of realism and vulnerability. These participants help shape the narrative, bringing their own lives and experiences into the story. The choice of stunning locations further enhances the film’s immersive quality, serving as more than just backdrops but active elements that deepen the emotional landscape.

The post “The Souffleur”, interview with the director Gaston Solnicki and the actor Willem Dafoe appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

From Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard, the BAFTA nominated directors of the Sundance award winning “20,000 Days on Earth“, comes “Broken English“, a bold documentary portrait of the inimitable singer, songwriter and icon: Marianne Faithfull.

The film has been presented out of competition in Venice and sees the collaboration of many artists including Tilda Swinton, George Mackay, Courtney Love, Nick Cave.

What truly matters when telling the story of a person’s life? This is the question that directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard asked themselves in approaching the life story of Marianne Faithfull, the subject — and also the co-creator — of “Broken English“.

Not a documentary but a portrait, made together with the artist, the film answers the opening question through a retro-flavored device: the Ministry of Not Forgetting, an imaginary institution led by Tilda Swinton, tasked with “recalibrating” collective memory around a person’s life and representing them for who they truly were, giving due weight to both mistakes and accomplishments.

“She’s a true artist – says Jane Pollard –  constantly looking at what the next thing would be, and had learnt defiantly to not look back. However, we felt like her legacy needed some serious recalibration”.

The post “Broken English”, interview with directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

Interview during the 82nd edition of Venice International Film Festival with Adèle Exarchopoulos and Gille Lellouche, actors in the film “Chien 51”. The production, out of competition in the closing slot of Venice Film Festival 2025, is set in a dystopian France, in which the Ministry of the Interior delegates its security policy to an artificial intelligence called Alma.

A central topic in “Chien 51” is its exploration of artificial intelligence (AI). During the interview, the cast highlighted how the film addresses both the technological fears and ethical questions associated with it. Gilles Lellouche noted that the film was partly inspired by the desire to examine the potential threats AI poses to humanity.

The film, directed by Cédric Jimenez showcases intense sequences of running, shooting, and swimming.It’s an action thriller that, in the words of Adèle Exarchopoulos, left space for the emotional preparation of the roles between the actors and the filmmaker. The film’s ability to marry spectacle with emotional nuance contributes to its fresh perspective within the action-thriller genre.

The post “Chien 51”, interview with actors Adèle Exarchopoulos and Gilles Lellouche appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska is back at the Venice Film Festival with her new film, “Mother“, to open the Orizzonti section.

The film starring Noomi Rapace in the role of 37 years old Mother Teresa portrays the future saint in the seven days before she was given permission to found her order , the Missionaries of Charity.

The idea of directing Mother came to Teona Strugar Mitevska more than 15 years ago when she directed the documentary “Teresa and I“, shot in Kolkata.

The director reveals: “I discovered so many aspects about her character that I could not, as a woman filmmaker and a creator and an artist, not take the opportunity and the responsibility to  show to the world the woman behind the myth”.

Noomi Rapace shared Mitevska’s vision on how to approach this very important role and journey: “We shared the the same beliefs of undressing the, the myth and kind of going under the skin of Mother Teresa and investigate the human. And I think most humans will struggle with the same questions about ego, about motives, about, also, motherhood”

“Mother” isn’t aiming at celebrating the saint as it also shows the internal struggles and the pain and how much darkness she was expressing through her letters, her crisis, her manners.

The post “Mother”, interview with director Teona Strugar Mitevska and actress Noomi Rapace appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

A heartfelt exploration of grief and fatherhood, “Remake” unveils director Ross McElwee‘s intimate relationship with his late son, Adrian, blending personal footage and universal themes. This poignant documentary delves into the complex process of mourning, memory, and the effort to find hope amid loss.

“Remake” stands out for its raw honesty, as Ross McElwee reconstructs his bond with Adrian through a combination of personal footage and cinematic reflection. The film invites viewers into an emotional landscape where grief is intertwined with humor and resilience. McElwee hopes that his story resonates with parents and families who’ve experienced tragedy, providing a sense of companionship in shared human suffering.

The post “Remake”, interview with director Ross McElwee appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

Filmmaker Aboozar Amini’s “Kabul, Between Prayers” offers a profound look into the life of a young Afghan man torn between violence and daily survival, illustrating the complex social fabric of Afghanistan today. Debuting at the Venice Film Festival, this documentary-style film delves beyond the headlines of war and political chaos, shining a light on the intimate realities of ordinary Afghan lives.

Jia Zhao, producer for Silk Road Film Salon, recounted her commitment to supporting films like “Kabul, Between Prayers,” which are part of a planned trilogy exploring Afghan lives affected by war. She highlighted that this project aims to reveal the layers of Afghan society often obscured by mainstream narratives focused solely on political conflict.

The post “Kabul, Between Prayers”, interview with director Aboozar Amini and producer Jia Zhao appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

The film “Sermon to the Void” marks the concluding chapter of a thought-provoking trilogy that delves into the essence of life, existence, and the infinite. Directed by Hilal Baydarov, this film distinguishes itself from its predecessors by emphasizing the power of cinematography, sound, and the spoken word, steering away from traditional landscape-driven narratives to focus on inner truths and spiritual exploration.

In a landscape dominated by narrative-driven cinema, Baydarov’s work is an ode to surrealism and abstract expression. He criticizes mainstream storytelling for its reliance on logic and sentimentality, advocating instead for films that probe into the darker, less visible facets of human nature.

The post “Sermon to the Void”, interview with director Hilal Baydarov appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

From Oscar®-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro comes “Frankenstein”, in competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival.

It is the definitive retelling of Mary Shelley’s genre-defining novel of life and death — an epic drama about what it means to be human, to crave love, and seek understanding.

Golden Globe-winner Oscar Isaac plays the brilliant but tortured scientist Victor Frankenstein, who embarks on an ego-driven quest to bring new life into this world, resulting in the Creature (BAFTA-nominee Jacob Elordi), whose very existence provokes questions about what it means to be a human and what it really means to be a monster.

Then film also stars Mia Goth as the luminous Elizabeth, the only one who’s able to understand the creature’s true nature, identity and heart.

As Guillermo Del Toro stated in his director’s notes: “ Frankenstein is a reminder of how, at heart, we are all creatures, lost and found”.

Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth comment on this aspect and introduce us on their journey into Guillermo Del Toro’s universe, connecting to people’s heart and souls.

The post “Frankenstein”, interview with actors Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

Directed by Lana Daher, “Do You Love Me” was presented at Giornate degli Autori at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. It is a mesmerizing documentary that delves into Lebanon’s rich and complex cultural history through a deeply personal and artistic lens.

Directed by Lana Daher, “Do You Love Me” is an evocative exploration of Lebanon’s audiovisual landscape. The film is crafted solely from archival materials, home videos, photographs, music, podcasts, and independent cinema spanning from the 1950s to today. Daher explains that her initial intent was to fill gaps left by Lebanon’s underrepresented history books, which tend to overlook events beyond the country’s independence in 1945. However, as the project evolved, it became more of an intimate reflection on her relationship with Lebanon and Beirut that captivates the audience for its hybrid style, a seamless blend of documentary and personal essay.

The post “Do you love me”, interview with director Lana Daher appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

Presented at Giornate degli Autori at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, “Vainilla” strikes for its profound exploration of family, intimacy, and personal identity. Directed by Mayra Hermosillo, the film portrays Roberta, an eight-year-old girl navigating the complexities of her family of seven women as they fight to keep their home. Through this emotionally rich narrative, “Vainilla” delves into themes of emotional vulnerability, societal expectations, and authentic human connections.

“Vainilla” shines in its portrayal of familial relationships, capturing the authentic chaos, love, and conflicts within a family unit. Actors Natalia Plascencia and María Castellá portrayed characters Limbania and Alicia, childhood friends navigating their own paths amid family complexities. They described their acting experience as “free and natural,” thanks in part to the detailed costume design and the supportive environment created by Hermosillo. “We played with a lot of freedom. The characters reflect our own friendships, sometimes loving, sometimes fighting, but always genuine,” Plascencia shared.

The post “Vainilla”, interview with director Mayra Hermosillo, actors Natalia Plascencia and María Castellá appeared first on Fred Film Radio.