PRESS CONFERENCE – Damián Szifron: “I think of myself as quite normal, I promise”

Damián Szifron, accompanied by part of the Relatos salvajes team, with actors Leonardo Sbaraglia, Érica Rivas, Ricardo Darín, Oscar Martinez,  and Maria Marull and producers Agustin Almodovar and Hugo Sigman, took part in a press conference. The 38-year-old Argentine director was talkative, jovial and a bit off the wall, just like his film. A press conference with a humourous tone.

Damián Szifron, in response to being asked how many stories were initially written: “There were initially more stories, 12 to be precise. In the end I chose six and the combination of these tales, which are wilder than the others, gave the film its title. Regarding the order: the stories are ordered like a rollercoaster, there isn’t really any order.”

Damián Szifron, talking about himself and society: “I am a film director and I am lucky enough to be able to express myself about things that cause me stress. If I had been born in difficult circumstances I wouldn’t have been a peaceful creature. I would certainly be in prison if I wasn’t lucky enough to be a director and be able to express myself. Other people don’t have this opportunity. Many people have a difficult job and are confronted by irritating and unfair scenes in their daily life. There are lots of victims of this system. Man, even if he is love, always has his share of perversion! For example, if someone overtakes you at high speed, you want to kill them and film allows you to do that! This film is not a realist fresco, rather it looks at the sensation that this reality provokes.”

The actors, talking about their part in improvising the film : “Damián is very precise and rigorous, there was no improvisation. He knows every comma in his script. The only improvised sentence is “Madre mia de mi curaçao.”

 Excerpts chosen by Charlotte Pavard