Interview by Geno McGahee
One of the best things that a film festival presents is a window into the future of film. Independent artists come out of the woodwork with their vision with hopes that they will be seen by a new audience and be recognized for their talents. The US film festival, coming your way from California: FANTASTIC HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2014 has been pushing independent horror and has attracted filmmakers from across the globe, including Francesco Longo, a director behind a feature film “17 TO MIDNIGHT,” which features a collection of short Italian horror movies.
Italy and horror have a storied relationship. The Italian style of horror is unmistakable and it is evident in 17 TO MIDNIGHT. Longo spoke with Scared Stiff Reviews about his film, his influences, and his aspirations as a filmmaker.
GM: You have created a film 17 TO MIDNIGHT. Could you tell us a little bit about it and what inspired you to make it?
I’m one of directors of this project. Davide Pesca is the mind behind this amazing idea! He was inspired from American Horror Anthology “ABC’s of Death”. So “17 TO MIDNIGHT” is a collection of 17 short movies, directed by 18 different directors (one of these is directed by 2 directors), from every place of Italy. Each Director has produced his short movie, and after that, the creator, Davide Pesca, puts all shorts together in a feature film.
This is also a “Main Short” that connects all works until the end of the movie.
GM: Italy and horror go hand in hand and the standard has been set remarkably high with directors like Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava as notable mentions. How have their artistry affected you and your style?
I love these two directors very much, especially movies like “DEMONS” by Bava and “SUSPIRIA” by Argento, because of the present paranormal component, not only splatter and gore. Individually, my inspiration come from American eighties horror like “NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET” and “EVIL DEAD”. My inspiration has come from recent directors too, like James Wan (I love it!) and Scott Derrickson (SINISTER) . Finally I very much love movies with paranormal and psychological component.
GM: After watching your trailer, I see a lot of the Italian sort of horror style with the imagery and the shock value. How do you think that this sort of filmmaking with work with the modern American audience?
In “17 TO MIDNIGHT” there are many different genres: Gore and splatter, paranormal horror, grotesque and many more….I think that modern American audience can appreciate it.
GM: How important is the American audience to your career and are you planning any productions in English?
For me, it is very important! I’m a filmmaker and not only: I’m studying Visual Effects and 3D Animation, and here in Italy, it is very difficult to succeed with this, and also with Horror , sci-fi and fantasy movies. Modern Italian Cinema is very closed to many genres. Only comedy and movies about crisis have audience. It’s very sad for those who decide to produce anything else.
GM: There is a modern trend in the states where found footage, remakes and re-imaginings and torture films have replaced the slasher and atmospheric sub-genres. What do you think of these Hollywood trends and what will it take to bring back the true art to horror?
Individually, I like found footage. My first two works, which were really really “0” budget shorts. “The Haunted Woods” and “Return To The Haunted Woods” are found footage too! As I said before, I prefer movies with psychological and paranormal component. About remakes and reboots, I agree, but not with recent movies. I love too much the EVIL DEAD and HALLOWEEN remakes (Rob Zombie -Rock!), but not like the new face of Freddy Krueger. Robert Englund is the only one for me.
GM: You are having your North American premiere of your film 17 TO MIDNIGHT. How exciting is it for you to be dropped into a different market with a new audience?
I’m very excited! It’s a good opportunity for me and others directors to show underground Italian horror.
GM: Being a filmmaker, there are many things that you have to do that most do not recognize. Can you speak of the difficulties you had in making 17 TO MIDNIGHT, what you learned, and what you have taken away from the production itself?
Right! There are many difficulties to being a filmmaker. In my shorts, usually I’m the director, operator, composer, VFX artist, supervisor etcetera. In life, I work as a technologist in radiology. I am a filmmaker as a hobby. I’m studying a lot for this and I hope that in the future it becomes work.
GM: What are your future plans? Any feature films on the horizon?
Now I’ve filmed a “0 Budget” new short movie called ” SKIZOPHRENIA” and actually, it is in post-production. I’m now also working on a screenplay inspired from an Edgar Allan Poe’s novel, Premature Burial, for a future short movie. Soon I’ll start to working like VFX artist in a fan film called “Resident Evil: Revolution”, created by famous Italian independent moviemakers Eros e Roberto D’Antona, winners at LA Web Series, California Film Awards, and Rome Web Awards with their recent masterpiece “Jhonny”.
GM: What advice would you give a person that wants to start making films?
Never stop believing in you!! There will be many difficulties, but if you love what you do and you will successful!
GM: Any closing thoughts?
Thanks for all question Geno. I’m very excited because is my first interview ever! And From USA! Amazing!
If you want to follow my work please like my facebook page “Moonlight Legacy Production“!
