CineFest veteran and self-confessed lover of Budapest, Norwegian Guro Ekornholmen will be bringing her short film ‘November’ to this year’s festival. She took time out to chat to us about Budapest, the festival and this year’s entry.
You’re not new to CineFest. Your film Oskar won the Grand Prize in 2006, and you were a member of the jury in 2007. How would you describe its atmosphere?
It feels like an important festival to attend. People can expect a lot of nice people and good films, and the atmosphere is very friendly and cozy.
You worked on November with the Hungarian screenwriter Gábor Csutor. It’s set in Budapest; what drew you to it as a setting?
The film could alternatively have been shot in Oslo, but the architecture in Budapest is more dramatic. Also, since the production had its starting point in Hungary, I felt it natural to shoot it here.
How did the collaboration with Gábor come about?
We met at CineFest in 2007. We saw each other’s films and discovered we shared some of the same tastes. We remained in touch, and later Gábor pitched the idea of a homeless person preparing for his own death to me. We came up with the story for November together.
November deals with suicide. Hungary’s known as having one of the highest suicide rates in Europe; do you see it as a gloomy place?
From my own experience of the city, I wouldn’t say so. But I see some amount of melancholia in every bigger city I visit, no matter what the suicide rate of the country is.
You trained and worked as an actor. How do you think that’s influenced the way you direct?
It’s hard to say, since I was acting before I started directing. But anyway, the ideal is for me to direct as clearly, plainly and unmistakably as possible and listen to reflexes and suggestions from actors. Whether I succeed in that, I can’t judge.
What do you think of Hungarian cinema, and do you have any favorite directors?
Who could not admire Miklós Jancsó?
What do you think festivals like CineFest bring to the world of new, international cinema?
CineFest is an international gathering of young filmmakers. To meet and watch each other’s work feels very instructive and important.
Which of the festival’s films are you most interested in this year?
The short films, of course! I’m very much looking forward to seeing my rivals in the competition.
How would you describe Budapest in three words?
Grand, intimate and welcoming!
‘November’ will premiere at the festival during a series of short films on September 18th at 9 p.m., and will be repeated on September 19th at 1 p.m.