Fuck off Michael
Bay, there's someone better in town who has the potential to
be an in-demand director, and his name is Alex Ferrari. I
was first introduced to Alex when Cinema Crazed was in the
early stages of accepting screeners for independent
filmmakers. Alex sent along "Broken," and we were interested
to see what he had in store for us. And much to our
surprise, "Broken" was absolutely great. Ferrari went onto
acclaim for "Broken," a film about a young girl kidnapped by
a small group of hit men who assure her she's not who she
thinks she is. Later, Ferrari went on to send more of his
features to us, and we were hooked. "Cyn" only proved that
Ferrari has the bonafide chops to display good old fashioned
film entertainment, without any of the clichés, and sheer
idiocy big budget directors often drop into.
Ferrari directs
films that look shockingly high budget, even though most of
his films only have a budget of a little over a thousand
bucks, and is one of the many indie directors providing a
slow and steady revival of the Grind House genre, and he's
not stopping at mere low budget action fare. The man has big
plans, and he's getting there and bringing his fan base with
him.
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Alex Ferrari
Director,
Writer
Director of:
Cyn, Broken |
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So, let's get down to
it. Are you an action genre fan?
A: Absolutely! Especially 80's bad action movies
(American Ninja, Last Dragon, Shakedown, everything
Dolph Lundgren)!
Your movies have a
penchant for being led by gorgeous women, how lucky
would you say you are, you bastard?
A: Very lucky!
So far, you seem
to be focused more on the female heroines wrapped
into enormous situations, from "Broken," to "Cyn."
How would you explain your habit for femmcentric
actioners? |
A: I just love hot
chicks with guns and kicking ass. Strong female characters are
missing from today's action flix.
What would be the
normal budget for one of your films?
A: About $1000-$8000.
How do you get so
much out of so little?
A: I need to. I don't have a choice. When I get ready to
shoot, I need to have it pimped out or I don't do it. I have
only
done three short films since 2005. Something I plan to change
soon.
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Did you go to
film school?
A: Yes, I went to Full Sail in Winter Park, FL. Great film
school!
Who or what has been a major influence in your filmmaking
career?
A: Well, it's hard to choose, but generally David Fincher, Akira
Kurosawa, Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin
Tarantino, Guillermo Del Toro, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg
to name a few.
Many people agree that you have the ability to be a director who
can drop blockbuster upon blockbuster, would you
enjoy being someone like Michael Bay, or are your aspirations
beyond that scope?
A: I want to take over the world! sorry I was having a moment.
YES! ABSOLUTELY! I want to do a Marvel movie one day
and make it more "X-men 2" style and less Daredevil or Ghost
Rider style. Bigger budgets let you tell bigger stories that
can reach the world. What artist doesn't want his or her art to
reach the largest audience possible. |
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Do purposely set out to direct action films, or do you just find
yourself constantly immersed in the action genre?
A: I love the challenge of action or thrillers. A drama is to
slow for me at this level in my career. Action is just more fun
and it's what I love to see in the movies.
"Broken" was supposed to be apart of a larger narrative,
correct?
A: Yes, the script is called "Soulless" but the screenplay got
away from us and the budget has been quoted at $40-$50
million. Maybe one day.
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How thrilled were you to see the praise for your film from
Roger Ebert?
A: I will always love that man for being kind to a nobody
filmmaker with a crazy short that wasn't even in the festival.
Roger Ebert is the MAN!
Have
any other big names seen your films just yet?
A: A ton! but if I tell you I'll have to kill you.
Where did the inspiration from "Daddy's Home" come from? And
does it have any deep sources from your own life, if
you're willing to share? |
A: I was never beaten or anything as a kid. I just came up with
the story and thought it might help bring attention to the
problem of domestic violence.
Has "Daddy's Home" seen any acclaim with domestic abuse
organizations?
A: Oddly enough no. Like many organizations they are caught up
with red tape on how to submit material, etc. All I can
do is put it out there and see if it can help.
Is "Daddy's Home" still powerful when you watch it?
A: Yes. It still moves me.
"Cyn" is a part
of a bigger narrative, too, correct?
A: YES!!! Cyn is a trimmed down version of a longer script I
created for my upcoming feature film project called "Red
Princess Blues." As I developed
the "Princess" short film I noticed that it had less and
less in common with his characters and storyline of my feature
project.
So when I made the Top 100 of Steven Spielberg's "On the Lot"
and they ask me to create a short film in six days, and "Cyn" was born. Done for under $1000, "Cyn" brought together an
amazing group of talented people. Without these remarkably talented friends and professionals, "Cyn" would have
never made it's 6 day schedule.
How do you usually respond to negative reviews, and what's been
your worst?
A: I send a hot hit-women after them and kill them. Seriously,
what can you do? You can't make everyone happy. If they
don't like my work it's their problem not mine.
Are you seeking to work in other genres beyond action?
A: Yes, I want to do fantasy "Lord of the Rings" style or
Sci-fi. And dramas... maybe one day.
So, if you're given one wish in your career, what would it be?
A: To be a working director making movies and telling stories I
want to tell. |
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What's been your crowning achievement in your eyes, so far?
A: It would be actually shooting a film and not just talking
about shooting a film.
Do you have any films hidden away you haven't been able to share
with us just yet, or have we seen it all so far?
A: Tons, but again that whole i tell you you die thing.
Describe yourself in one word.
A: Passionate!
Who would be the perfect actor/actress you'd love to work with?
A: Leonardo DiCaprio and Steve James from "American Ninja."
So, what can we look forward to from Enigma, and Mr. Ferrari in
the next year or so?
A: "Red Princess Blues Animated: The Book of Violence" is an
animated short film prequel to Alex Ferrari's upcoming
feature film Red Princess Blues. Artist extraordinaire and
Creative Director of the Visual Effects House Numb Robot, Dan
Cregan will be making his directorial debut. Alex Ferrari will
pen the twisted tale as well as produce. RPB Animated is a
chance to explore the world of Princess, the main character of
Red Princess Blues. We hope to have the short done by
Fall 2007.
For more information on the project go to:
http://www.redprincessblues.com
Also
Red Princess Blues
the feature film. It's like a spaghetti
western blew up in a 70's exploitation film and then was
tossed into a graphic novel; it's a violent Fairy Tale.
And finally, where can readers find you and your films?
Here goes the media whoring:
My Personal Page:
http://www.alexferrari.com
My Production Company:
http://www.enigmafactory.com
My Visual Effects Company:
http://www.numbrobot.com
My Publishing Company:
http://www.deviant-comics.com
BROKEN:
http://www.whatisbroken.com/
Cyn:
http://www.alittlecyn.com/
Red Princess Blues:
http://www.redprincessblues.com/
Daddy's Home:
http://www.enigmafactory.com/daddy_home.html
Myspace:
Alex Ferrari:
http://www.myspace.com/alexferrari
The Enigma Factory:
http://www.myspace.com/enigmafactory
Numb Robot:
http://www.myspace.com/numbrobot
Deviant Comics:
http://www.myspace.com/artofbroken
Red Princess Blues:
http://www.myspace.com/paulagarces
Red Princess Blues Animated:
http://www.myspace.com/rpb_animated
Cyn:
http://www.myspace.com/redprincessblues
BROKEN:
http://www.myspace.com/broken2006
Daddy's Home:
http://www.myspace.com/daddys_home_short
Many
thanks to Alex Ferrari for this interview! Check him out, and
see what the hubbub is all about!
