Filmmaker Angelo Loy (LOOSING GROUND)

LOOSING GROUND, 45min., Italy, Documentary
Directed by Angelo Loy, Martino Mazzonis
“Loosing Ground” recounts the lives of climate refugees in Bangladesh, who every day leave the countryside of the North submerged by increasingly frequent and abundant floods, who abandon the villages of the South where entire crops are destroyed by unpredictable and extremely violent cyclones. The stories of people fleeing the climatic events and their journey to Dhaka, where every day more than a thousand people get off ferries and buses destined to live in the slums, the immense slums of the Bangladeshi capital. Their arrival in the city is not the end of their troubles: here they risk being driven out of the shacks they have just built by building speculation.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Since more than 20 years I am interested making documentaries trying to address major social issues of our world. In 2019 I made a film (Tropic of Chaos) about the effects of climate change on Lake Chad (Central Africa), linking the drying up of this incredible lake in the middle of Sahel with conflicts, terrorism, migration and humanitarian crisis. I was then trying to find another emblematic place where the effects of climate change were more visibile. Bangladesh is the country of rivers, framed by the ovewhelming water coming from the melting of Himalaya’s glaciers and the increasing number and strenght of cyclones of the Gulf of Bengal. Sadly, it was the right candidate.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I had first to convince the broadcaster (the Italian Public Television)… long time! Then approx one month of pre production and 3 week filming.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
stop fossil fuels! (sorry three words)

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

Convincing the broadcaster, it’s always the major obstacle. The other is finding the right people to work with once in the field. we were very lucky to find Rakib Al Mamoun, a fantastic fixer/assistant/militant, very concerned about the subject. He’s been our guide through the waters of Bangladesh.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was very happy to hear that they appreciated its content but also the way it was filmed, with no voice over, no expert, just the voice of the people.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Strangely enough, I’ve been mostly working in Africa. I was looking for a story about climate change in that continent when a friend of mine, Anwar, from Bangladesh asked me to go with him in Dacca for his daughter’s wedding. I then realized that Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world most affected by climate change. I thought that Anwar was sending me a message. I took the chance.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Apocalypse Now, the Blues Brothers, 8 1/2

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Connection with the industry would be highly welcome. But you’re doing a great job anyway.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Fine

10. What is your favorite meal?
It depends on where I am… Circumstances are foundamental. In Rome: fish soup.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am finishing a short film on the exploitation of Filipino women in Soudi Arabia, and editing a feature film about the last eel fishermen of Rome.