Night cap with La Canoa de Ulises (Ulises’ Canoe)
Interview with Diego Fió, director of La Canoa de Ulises (Ulises’ Canoe)
What motivated you to tell a story about Guarani culture and traditions? Why a canoe?
The first reason is the jungle. I have been attracted by the jungle since I was young. I have had the opportunity to travel across the Amazon and I always wanted my first movie to have that scenery. But secondly I would say that my motivation has to do with the feeling that there is a historical debt to the original cultures of Argentina. During the nineteenth century the genocide was so unjust and brutal that we cannot ignore it. As a film director and screenwriter, it was my way of starting to pay off that debt. The canoe represents ancestral knowledge. Knowledge passed from generation to generation and, in the case of Ulises, he has no interest in receiving it.This practice is obsolete today as the industry has eliminated craft manufacture, however, the canoe represents much more than a canoe; it means recognizing an indigenous origin, their own language, religious beliefs, etc. That’s what the canoe is – a metaphor for a culture that struggles to survive.
Can you tell us about the filming location and casting process?
Casting was one of the most difficult tasks I had, not only because the region was 1600 km from my home, but because I had to overcome my own fear of not finding the characters.
They honestly appeared very fast and without difficulty. Luis (Vaiyá) is a local rapper and Isabelino (Itaité) is a wood carver from a nearby community. But none of them had acted before. They had not even faced a camera in their lives.The short film is spoken in Spanish and in Mbya-Guaraní. The translation of the dialogues was one of the best ways to approach them and build the bond of trust that we needed. As we translated, they understood the story. Then came the rehearsals and we soon started to shoot. And I really think they did a great job. The last day of shooting I was working with two actors; they had become actors.
Is there much interaction between Guarani people and the urban population of Argentina? Are young people like Ulises much more likely to mingle with city-dwellers?
During my trip I have seen that the young people are very connected with modernity. They live in small communities close to the cities, use the internet, Facebook, Instagram, etc.There is a desire to be part of Western culture but they are also proud to belong to the Guarani culture.The dilemma of traditional vs. modern exists beyond the short film. It is a daily reality you see in the region.
Can you tell us a bit more about your foray into filmmaking?
My first steps in the audiovisual industry were in the hands of advertising. I have been an assistant director and advertising director for over ten years. However in recent years I have been turning to cinema and the documentary. I have made a documentary called ARSAT-1, at the Height of the Stars, which tells the historical manufacture and putting into orbit of the first communications satellite manufactured in Argentina. It is a documentary that portrays seven years of an aerospace project that seeks to raise the self-esteem of the Argentine people, surpassing the limits of the third world. Today I’m starting to spread the script of my first feature film called Tooth of Leon and I hope to film it and release it in the next two years.
Any cinematic coups de cœur in the past year you’d like to tell us about?
I really like Paolo Sorrentino’s films. It seems to me that there is a tremendous aesthetic search along with a narrative particularity that I am very excited about,But yesterday I saw the movie He’s Back. A marvel. Disgusting, funny, insulting, disrespectful, with an incredible interpretation of Hitler and very well told.I’m very a open-minded person when it comes to cinema. I will never limit myself to names or actors. I think stories win over everything, even themes.
If you’ve already been to Clermont-Ferrand, could you share with us an anecdote or story from the festival? If not, what are your expectations for this year?
It’s my first time in Clermont-Ferrand. I am very happy to be part of it and I have the best expectations for the festival. Luckily I’ll be able to go. I am excited to see so much new cinema from different parts of the world. I hope also to find friends or just people with whom I have a good time and talk about our passion; movies.
Are any other releases scheduled?
The film has already been screened at many festivals. Havana, Biarritz, Huesca and many smaller ones. After Clermont, we will see how it goes. So far it has only given me satisfactions.
Are you taking part in other events during the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival? (Espressos, Conferences, other?)
I do not have a festival agenda yet but as soon as I know I will inform you. Thanks for your interest in my movie. See you in Clermont.
La Canoa de Ulises is being shown in International Competition I3.
