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| SXSW '08 Interview: "The Marconi Bros." Co-Writer-Director Marco Ricci |
by William Goss
The "The Marconi Bros." Pitch: "Anthony and Carmine Marconi, a modern day odd-couple, have been dutifully serving out life sentences in the family carpet business. Their opportunity to escape occurs during a routine carpet installation, when they meet Lou Burns the undisputed king of the Long Island wedding video business. Mesmerized by Lou's fast talk and leggy blonde 'secretaries,' the brothers hustle themselves jobs as his new assistants and set off to make it big in the "movie biz"."
Describe your movie using the smallest number of words possible.
Wedding comedy.
Is this your first trip to SXSW? Got any other film festival experience?
The red carpet at the New York Film Festival; our short, "Hyper", played as the Centerpiece before "Punch-Drunk Love". Getting discount ski passes at the Aspen Shorts Fest wasn't so shabby. But there's nothing better than being able to play hooky and watch three or four films a day.
Back when you were a little kid, and you were asked that inevitable question, your answer would always be "When I grow up, I want to be a..." what?
Dentist. I used to practice on my sister with my mother's sewing kit.
Not including your backyard and your dad's Handycam, how did you get your real "start" in filmmaking?
After film school, I ran a public access station for a year. Trial by fire. I did live three-camera shows with a crew of two eight-year-olds and a deaf 80-year-old man on the other. My lasting claim to fame was breaking the world record for longest TV show ever - 30 hours.
Do you feel any differently about your film now that you know it's on "the festival circuit?"
No.
Of all the Muppets, which one do you most relate to?
Cookie Monster.
During production, did you ever find yourself thinking ahead to film festivals, paying customers, good & bad reviews, etc?
No way. I was trying to survive day to day.
If you could share one massive lesson that you learned while making this movie, what would it be?
Just one? Never settle. Sounds like a cliche, but it's true. As a director, you have to constantly push.
What films and filmmakers have acted as your inspirations, be they a lifelong love or a very specific scene composition?
Kubrick, Scorsese, "...Spinal Tap", Peter Sellers. As an Italian, "The Godfather" is always at the top of my list.
What actor would you cast as a live-action Homer Simpson?
Billy Bob Thornton. Although he's more Krusty. How about Paul Giamatti?
Say you landed a big studio contract tomorrow, and they offered you a semi-huge budget to remake, adapt, or sequelize something. What projects would you tackle?
"Meatballs IV". There can never be enough "Meatballs".
Name an actor in your film that's absolutely destined for the big-time. And why, of course.
Just one? That's not fair. I think they're all great.
Finish this sentence: If I weren't a filmmaker, I'd almost definitely be...
...a fishing guide.
Who's an actor you'd kill a small dog to work with? (Don't worry; nobody would know.)
Daniel Day-Lewis.
Have you 'made it' yet? If not, what would have to happen for you to be able to say "Yes, wow. I have totally made it!"?
I still shoot an occasional wedding for cash. If I can cut that out, I'd say I made it.
Honestly, how important are film critics nowadays?
Well, it seems like everyone's a critic nowadays. So I guess they're all important.
You're told that your next movie must have one product placement on board, but you can pick the product. What would it be?
Krispy Kreme donuts. You can't find them in New York anymore and I'd want them on the set.
You're contractually obligated to deliver an R-rated film to your producers. The MPAA says you have to delete a sex scene that's absolutely integral to the film or you're getting an NC-17. How do you handle it?
Just like Kubrick: digital fig leaves and people.
What's your take on the whole "a film by DIRECTOR" issue? Do you feel it's tacky, because hundreds (or at least dozens) of people collaborate to make a film - or do you think it's cool, because ultimately the director is the final word on pretty much everything?
Well, I'm a hypocrite, because I think it's tacky, but I have one in my film.
In closing, we ask you to convince the average movie-watcher to choose your film instead of the trillion other options they have. How do you do it?
Wedding videographers. Guard dogs. Long Island. And hilarity ensues
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Marco Ricci and Michael Canzoniero's The Marconi Bros. will play as part of the 2008 South By Southwest's "Emerging Visions" slate. For more information, click here.
link directly to this feature at http://hollywoodbitchslap.com/feature.php?feature=2429
originally posted: 03/05/08 08:46:28
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