today we meet Matteo PilatiDirector of “Hottest Summer”, currently on Prime Video. Pilati, in our interview, talks about beautiful Sicily, the location chosen for this project, his passion for this profession, and future projects.
Always looking to the future, concerned with contemporary issues, wanting to do the job well.
Welcome to La Gazzetta dello Spettacolo, Matteo Pilati. how is your life going on?
Thanks, welcome back! I’m so happy: This weekend I went to a Lana Del Rey concert, then went to Milan for the launch of the film for two days with the cast and other pieces of my heart with whom I shared this adventure.
There’s currently a way to watch your new movie, “The Hottest Summer,” on Prime Video. An intense story of friendship and love set in beautiful Sicily. How did all this come to life?
The genesis of the film is very similar to my previous film, “Maschile Singular”: together with Giuseppe Paterno Redusa and Tommaso Triolo, we independently (and in a very short time) started writing a story we were passionate about. However, unlike my first film, it was not necessary to self-produce this time, as the script was liked by Amazon Studios and Notorious Pictures, who produced the film, which was shot between summer and autumn last year.
What do you attribute to the choice of Sicily and what sensations are associated with this land, what was it able to convey to you during the filming period?
Giuseppe is Sicilian, Tommaso is half Sicilian. Sicily is a wonderful land, full of charm and charm; Above all, for dramatic purposes, it is an island. For those who live on an island, leaving it for a continental city certainly takes on more significance: the struggle experienced by the female protagonist, Lucia (Nicole Damiani) leaving the country at the end of the summer to study in Rome (portrayed by her best friend Valentina, played by Alice Angelica).
To act as the protagonists of your story: Gianmarco Saurino, Nicole Damiani, Alice Angelica, Stefania Sandrelli and Nino Frasica. Matteo, what made you choose all of them for your new cinematic experience?
We wrote the film for Gianmarco, with whom I had already worked on “maschile singulare”: he was the first person to read the script before we even arrived on set and give us ideas to improve it. He was an attentive and considerate colleague, a role model, especially to Nicole and Alice, but also to all the other cool new actors. Thanks to the trust and resources of Casting Director Giulia Fusaroli, Notorious Pictures and Amazon Studios, indeed, I was able to choose talented and capable interpreters who were fresh from studies and also full of enthusiasm for supporting roles. Stefania Sandrelli and Nino Frasica are two holy demons: they could participate in the project on autopilot, limited to doing their job, they have nothing to prove. Instead they came full of enthusiasm, ideas, brilliant inventions that really honored me. I did not mind working without Michela Giraud, as did Gianmarco already in “maschile singulare”, who with great generosity agreed to further enrich the cast of the film. By his side is Giuseppe Gioffre: we all know him as a dancer and choreographer (he has worked with Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Britney Spears) or as an emcee, but this is the first time he has acted and, you will see, it will not be the last.
I’ll also say a word for the technical artists: without naming them one by one, I must say that Notorious Pictures did an excellent job proposing to me professionals of great value and experience, with whom there was an immediate harmony and coherence of intent.
More than choosing my partners, I thank them for their trust to work with me!
“Muscle Cingular” was the first work in which you were involved as a director. What do you remember about that experience and what accolades have you earned since then?
“Muscle Cingular” was an amazing, unique adventure: it must be said: extraordinary. For a film that cost less than €200,000 to be seen (and appreciated) both in Italy and abroad is truly special.
Who is Matteo Pilati and what did he dream of becoming as a child?
I’ve always loved cinema: my father, when I didn’t even know how to speak, showed me silent films of Chaplin and Keaton, in addition to cartoons; My mother introduced me to “Star Wars” and the Indiana Jones movies before elementary school; My grandfather (who just turned 100) used to go to the movies with me and my cousins in my city; As a kid I used to watch Bellissimi on Rete 4… I studied screenwriting and producing, then I stopped doing television for many years: being able to make films and not just watch them twice was wonderful!
The film you haven’t had a chance to shoot yet and which actor you wish would be with you?
I have several projects lined up, including a romantic comedy/horror I hope to be able to make. I was fortunate that, in both the films, I got to work with great actors with whom I look forward to working with. If I had to dream big, I’d love to work with Liv Ullman.
What’s in store for Matteo Pilati’s future?
I would like to continue this work, but it depends on many factors: I hope that the luck I have had so far will be with me for a long time!