Roberto Minervini © RR
SPECIAL SCREENING – Roberto Minervini: “My way of filming could be defined as an observation”
Stop The Pounding Heart is the third feature film from Roberto Minervini and the last in a trilogy shot by the Italian director in Texas. In his usual manner, the filmmaker filmed the protagonists of his fictional film going about their everyday life before coming up with the plot. The film deals with the sufferings of Sara, a young girl from a very pious community who is shaken by her encounter with a young rodeo rider.
Where did the idea for the film come from?
It primarily comes from my own exploration of Texas, which is for me the perfect reflection of America today. I also wanted to look at adolescence and older people to see how the transition from one period of our lives to another occurs.
You film your characters in their real surroundings. Could we say that Stop The Pounding Heart is halfway between documentary work and fiction?
Not really. My way of filming could be defined as an observation. Shooting took two months. Then I wrote the script based on these real situatiions. This approach means that my work does not sit between fiction and documentary. It is above all my way of being as honest as possible.
Film still © RR
How did you work with non-professional actors?
I asked them to stay who they were. When I start filming, I am discreet. Then I gradually get closer. It takes time. There are no takes because I shoot live. This approach allows me to capture the truth that interests me.
Do you have a particular memory from filming?
The most beautiful moment for me will always be one of the last scenes in the film. Sara and her mother are discussing what it means to be a good person in life. It was a very intense moment, full of emotion. We didn’t move for half an hour in order to get the scene. Curiously, the conversation ended just when we decided that we had enough footage.
Interview by Benoit Pavan
SCREENINGS
Saturday 18th May / Salle du Soixantième / 5 p.m.
