Interview with Filmmaker Roman De Giuli (LAND OF MINE)

LAND OF MINE was the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER at the June 2018 Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Roman De Giuli: I’m very interested in landscape and aerial photography. The wide perspective down to earth offers such a different view on our planet. To me, planet earth appears like a multidimensional piece of art. In 2017 I was experimenting with a new method which works on soggy paper only. And I discovered more and more geographic or topographic features in my work. This was there start to Land of Mine.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

It took me around 1 and a half years if you master the fluid paint method and shoot the film.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

My soul.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest challenge was to create a base pouring medium which makes the color flow in this specific way and is stable enough to give me clean and beautiful images

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was surprised and very thankful. I never had the opportunity to hear the voice of people in Canada speaking about my work. Thank you very much to all of you.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the Short Film:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

The idea to Land of Mine was a very personal one. Like I already said in my blog post about the film:

“These days, everything runs on such a high clock rate that you really have to step out of the rush in a conscious act of self-care. If you can’t do that from time to time, you might get burned. I still work in the boiler room and collected and arsenal of gear, craft supplies, colors and fluids. It’s so crammed that I can barely move anymore. It is the nastiest place in my house but the one I love the most. Closing the door, switching on the music and experimenting with materials is like taking a deep breath. A journey to myself. It may sound ridiculous to some people, but the land of mine is a place which truly exists for me, and I am grateful I have found it.”

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I don’t know.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I love to submit this way, it is very convenient and efficient. And it is a good way to search for specific festivals.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

I do not have a single song but I probably heard the soundtracks from Hans Zimmer more often than anything else.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

I’m currently working on several commercial projects but I really really hope to get a new piece ready for 2019.

Go to Roman’s Vimeo profile: https://vimeo.com/user4801470

Website: http://www.terracollage.com/

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every single month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 3 times a month. Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com for more information and to submit your work to the festival.