PRESS CONFERENCE VICTOR ERICE
On account of the retrospective tribute to his work, Spanish director Victor Erice gave a press conference on Wednesday, November 24th, at Warehouse C. The Director of the Festival, Michel Demopoulos introduced Mr. Erice saying that having him in Thessaloniki is extremely important and an honour for the Festival. “The idea for the retrospective began two years ago and finally this year we have him here with us”, said Mr. Demopoulos who spoke about Mr. Erice as a modern myth of Spanish and European cinema despite the fact that he’s only made three films in a period of thirty years. “His work consists of three wonderful films that have contributed to the evolution, course and reputation of Spanish cinema and are relatively unknown outside his country”, added Mr. Demopoulos.
Regarding his work and the fact that he has only made three films, Mr. Erice said, “The result of my work isn’t only these three films. I’ve planned and prepared other films that never reached the production stage, mainly because of the conditions in the film industry that have tried me. All of this, though, constitutes a large portion of the experienced I’ve gained. The relationship between my films and me is based on suspense. I shot all my films thinking they would be the last”.
Mr. Erice admitted that he had been preparing a film for three years only to see it deterred at the production stage. “Just like meter and rhythm are essential in poetry to make it musical, the same applies to detail in films in order to perceive the musicality and the rhythm of the imagery”, he added.
Cinema as art
Erice believes that cinema is a language that derives from the other arts. “Cinema is a pure art form. When it began people didn’t consider it as art but rather as a technique. The wonderful thing about cinema is that it was able to become an art for the common people, which is why during its first years it was seen as the “poor man’s theatre” and in France as entertainment at celebrations.
"Today it has reached other levels but I adore its first years. Most of all, I respect the fact that the early pioneers of cinema were artists without even knowing it”, he said. The press conference ended with Erice revealing his future plans. “My only plan is to go on with my life and be able to make films”.
