10 · 09 · 09

Fred Roos spoke about the current situation of independent film.

Doris Morales

Roos said that although Hollywood Blockbusters are successful from the point of view of ticket sales, he finds these films to be boring, even though they are very popular. It is more and more difficult to interest the big studios in making a serious film, he said, but we continue to have independent films which are not easy to make, but it can be done.

The producer pointed out that there are many serious people in Sundance and other festivals whose films are very good, some launched well and are premiered, but it’s becoming increasing difficult to make them.

Speaking about his experience of working with Francis Ford Coppola, he explained that the director invests his own money and is happy to do it because that way he doesn’t owe anything to anybody. All independent movies, however, have to deal with the issue of funding, either with a company or rich private investor.

In this new phase of his life, Coppola is making personal films, Roos said. So far he’s made two, including Tetro.

He explained that the world economical situation, particularly in the United States, has affected the film industry. It’s becoming more common to produce independent movies. Only two or three independent production companies buy them, however, so there are fewer places where they are screened. Getting an independent film premiered and distributed is also a real problem.

Roos added that movies produced in the big studios are often based on comic figures and do very well at the box office all around the world. It’s harder and harder to make drama movies in the studios of Hollywood. 

He said the only movies on his filming agenda are independent ones, which he hopes will get good distribution.

On the topic of actors, the producer said that in order to finance a film, even a low budget one, there must be someone in the cast at least a little bit known. “Working with unknown actors is very risky for distributors," he said.

Rodrigo de la Serna, one of the actors in Tetro, said that "the communication between cultures is a topic in itself. In Buenos Aires it’s a theme that is often shown in film. I think it is very interesting that at this moment Anglo Saxon and Latin cultures are starting to communicate in a more beautiful and joyful way.”

The film Tetro was screened in the International Premiere Feature Film Section at FICM. It was written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 2009, and stars Vincent Gallo, Alden Ehrenreich, Maribel Verdu, Carmen Maura and Rodrigo de la Serna.