Fabrício Bittar, Francisco César Filho, André Ristum, translator and Guillaume Martinez
Short Films are Moved by Passion
Why make Short Films Nowadays? For passion, say short filmmakers Fabrício Bittar, of First Time, André Ristum, of 14 Bis, and Guillaume Martinez, of Gratte-Papier, who participated in the debate with this theme that took place at the Mostra’s Lounge, on Tuesday, 24, at Frei Caneca Shopping Mall. Mediated by journalist and also short filmmaker Francisco César Filho, the debate made it clear that these directors love their work, facing countless challenges to carry out their projects. But they will keep on doing it to show off their work, and also because they are permeated with art, as Bittar stressed. Martinez, for example, who was awarded the Silver Bear in Berlin for his movie, revealed he used his own resources, because he didn’t find any interested producer. But he points out that, nowadays, doors once closed are now open. Bittar explained he received support from several sources, but it was necessary to work without pay to get investments in the production.Ristum’s history, on the other hand, is very different. In fact, 14 Bis was devised to be a big movie, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Santos Dumont’s flight. In spite of being a short film, the film required reconstitution and vintage settings and costumes as much as a feature film would. In addition to that, it took two weeks of shooting in five different cities. Ristum raised R$ 500,000 to make 14 Bis, while he raised R$ 50,000 for his second short film, Homem Voa? (2001), also about Santos Dumont. He compares this cost with the feature Drained, by Heitor Dhalia, which consumed only R$ 315,000 because it was shot in only one place and the crew became co-producer of the project. Ristum further tells that he wanted to make the movie to revive the figure of Santos Dumont, because almost nobody knows of his accomplishments and groundbreaking achievements. An arrangement with the Ministry of Education will make the film available in 40 thousand schools.
Bittar, a literature teacher, reveals his taste for short films and short stories in literature. He points out the emergence of new media, such as internet and cell phones, as a path to short films. He is a tyro, because First Time is his first work, and he said to be very happy to be at the Mostra, which he always accompanied as a spectator. He said the 30th Mostra has an outstanding selection of short films, and that, should the public be willing to watch them, they would certainly enjoy more this format. There is still much prejudice towards short films, which are considered experimental films or films by those who are beginning their career, says Bittar.
Ristum, who is in his fourth short film and who has already made a documentary feature (Tempo de Resistência, 2004), points out that he does not consider short films as a passage to feature films, but he confesses that, after eight years directing, he wants to shoot a fiction feature film. It will be a more personal and urban project, he says, further informing that, should he manage to raise funds, he will start the project in 2007. On the other hand, Martinez, also in his first film, says his new project will be a medium-length film about artificial intelligence. The director, who came to São Paulo’s heat from winter-cold France, indicates the festivals as a path for directors to be able to show their work. He said he had already heard good comments on the São Paulo International Film Festival, but that he was surprised at the organization and at the amount of films from several different countries.