AN INTERVIEW WITH RUTH BORGOBELLO – FILM DIRECTOR OF THE SPACE BETWEEN

BY MARK MORELLINI

Film director Ruth Borgobello is extremely passionate about her new Italian/Australian co-production The Space Between, which will have its world premiere at the Lavazza Italian Film Festival in Palace Cinemas this September. The following interview reveals some insight into the film and the director, who hopes her film may have paved the way for future film collaborations between Italy and Australia.

ARE YOU OF ITALIAN DESCENT?

Yes – I am half Australian, half Italian. My Father was born in Gorizia in the north east of Italy in Friuli Venezia Giulia and migrated to Australia with my grandparents when he was seven. I was born [in] and grew up in Melbourne.

HOW PASSIONATE WERE YOU TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE FIRST OFFICIAL CINEMATIC ITALIAN/AUSTRALIAN CO-PRODUCTION?

I am extremely passionate about being involved with the first official cinematic Italian/Australia co-production. This has been a long time dream of mine to bring the two film worlds together. I feel like it is a natural progression with so many Italians having migrated to Australia and such a mutual love affair between the two countries. It was such a buzz to bring the Italian and Australian cast and crew together on set and very special to be the first to do so!

WHY DO YOU THINK THERE HAS OFFICIALLY NEVER BEEN A CO-PRODUCTION BETWEEN THESE TWO COUNTRIES PREVIOUSLY?

I think it comes down to the different approaches to filmmaking and financing and perhaps the literal distance between the two countries. In Italy there is a lot of support and creative freedom given to first time directors. In Australia, there is much more structure and involvement from government bodies in the whole process. Also budgets are quite different. Costs are much higher in Australia than Italy and generally, film financing levels are lower in Italy – a bit of a minefield to try to match the two. At the end of the day, we found that it was the strong relationship with our co-production partner that got us across the line and a strong willingness and support from Italian government bodies to realise the very first co-production.

BRIEFLY TELL ME ABOUT THE SPACE BETWEEN. THEMES?

The themes are centered around love and loss and the collision between the two. Often in life, great transformation comes from very difficult moments and in the case of the film, it is through a tragedy that the lead character is able to break through the personal blocks holding him back and transform his life.

HOW DID THE IDEA FOR THIS FILM SURFACE?

It was inspired by my first trip to Italy 18 years ago when I met my future husband, Davide (also the producer of the film). We met in a moment of great loss and tragedy for him. In spite of his very raw grief, we spent two weeks together getting to know each other trying to make sense of it all. We were both at a cross roads and it was through a very deep connection that was born in this delicate moment, that we were able to help each other to each make difficult choices that would bring us closer to our own truth.

I wanted to explore this moment of transformation in a film, especially in the context of Italy today where youth don’t have the courage to dream aloud. Life is extremely difficult and most people feel their choices are limited. Yet there is all this beauty and breathtaking creation all around that seems to almost have become invisible. I felt that it would be interesting to bring the Australian perspective to this situation and through the character of Olivia, shine a light on the potential and beauty that exists within – Italy herself and most importantly, the people.

HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT FOR THIS FILM TO BE SCREENED AT THE ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL?

LIFF is a true celebration of contemporary Italian cinema and is the perfect launching pad to reach the right audience for the film. Lovers of Italy and the Italian/Australian community are avid festivalgoers and I really hope they will enjoy the film and connect with the experience of it. It’s come full circle for me too as I have been going to LIFF since it first began and have drawn much of my inspiration and insight into Italian cinema from the festival. It’s quite special now to have a film in the festival and be sitting amongst contemporary Italian filmmakers – contributing to capturing Italy in this moment and giving a voice to young Italians.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE MOVIE-GOERS ABSORB FROM WATCHING THIS FILM?

I hope they will connect to the journey of the story and reflect on what it means to fall in love and lose someone so important in the same moment. I also hope that the film will bring some inspiration to engineer change, no matter what your age or circumstances.

DO YOU THINK YOUR FILM MAY HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR FUTURE CO-PRODUCTIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIAN AND ITALY?

I really hope so. We were in Cannes this year to attach a world sales agent to the film and we seemed to keep bumping into Australian producers with projects connected to Italy. I hope the film sparks an interest and willingness to forge greater links between Italy and Australia. We have certainly learnt many lessons that we can share and believe we have created a solid bridge between the two.

LIFF: Sept 13–Oct 9. Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona & Chauvel Cinema. $20–$70 (5 film pass). Tickets & info: www.italianfilmfestival.com.au