Interview with Alberto Cattaneo, lead actor in the The Steel-Tongued Serpent by Domiziano Cristopharo in the episodic horror film Phantasmagoria. Alberto tells us about his experience in filmmaking and also about the cultural association Nero Cafe and his publishing brand Nero Press Edizioni for which he collaborates.
L: Hi Alberto, tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: Hi Barbara! I was born a computer scientist. I came to cinema by very circuitous ways, but I've always been drawn to it, particularly noir and horror. Then since I started collaborating for Nero Cafe and Nero Press Editions, I got even closer to it. I also enjoy reading the same genres, but I don't disdain nonfiction, especially on crime, psychology and esotericism. Then I am a lover of martial arts, which I have practiced for more than 10 years, and passionate about music, especially rock and metal. For the past few months I have also been collaborating with loudvision.it, a site for which I write album and film reviews.
L: What fascinates you about horror and all its nuances?
A: I started watching horror not very early. I remember well that I was 16 years old and on a hot summer evening I saw the first, historic Nightmare at a friend's house. It was love at first sight, both for the genre and for the saga, which skillfully combines horror and irony. But what fascinates me most of all is the social criticism embedded in many films of this genre. Cinema has also been capable of harsh takes on the greedy and money-hungry man, but horror is the genre that does it best. Often reality is far worse than what can be seen in horror, and these films are for me a way to exorcise it.
L: Can you tell us about the Nero Cafe Cultural Association and its publishing brand Nero Press Editions for which you collaborate?
A: With pleasure! The site of Black Cafe, began as an information blog on film and noir and mystery literature, then over the years under the same name we founded the cultural association and today, it is a network, including pages on the most popular social and the forum, reference points for many fans of noir, thriller, horror and mysteries. Not content, in 2012 we also founded Nero Press Editions, an independent publishing brand and NOEAP, specializing in our favorite genres.
Nero Press Editions is the result of a lot of passion and professionalism. We have professional editors, an expert in criminology and other valuable collaborators, who guarantee us excellent books, both as content and in graphics and layout. I would like to reiterate that we do not ask authors for money, but rather, we offer them a regular contract. I am in charge of communications and am also secretary of the association and editor of the website.
L: Speaking of Edizioni Nero Press, what works would you recommend a priori to readers?
A: There are many titles I would recommend but I would like to mention one by type. I start with our first publication, "Exilium - Dante's Inferno", a horror film by Kim Paffenroth, an American writer and professor, who imagined in his work that Dante, during the period of forced exile about which very little is known, encountered a zombie epidemic.
Then there is "The whisper of the black man" by Emanuele Corsi and Ilaria Tuti, an illustrated story for children with decidedly 'dark' characteristics.
To stay in the Gothic sphere, we have "Tim Burton. From Gotham to Wonderland." by Giulio Muratore, an essay on the brilliant American filmmaker.
To conclude, the ebook "Croatoan sound" written by Danilo Arona and inspired by the mystery of Roanoke Island. Find all the titles at neropress.com!
L: You are the main character in "The Steel-Tongued Serpent" (the concluding episode of Phantasmagoria) directed by Domiziano Cristopharo. What do you think of your role? What aspect of your character most appealed to you? What were the biggest difficulties you encountered?
A: I play an Italian tourist passing through a small town, from an undefined state. He has lost his luggage at the airport and in his search for accommodation for the night, he finds an inn run by an ambiguous character. I have in fact acted in English and Italian, but it is a role I was happy with.
The aspect that fascinated me most was his evolution. If at first he is awkward and almost afraid of the situation, then he gains more and more confidence until the surprising ending. And this is most noticeable in the cemetery scene, which is then one of my favorites. This is my first real experience in filmmaking, and the greatest difficulty I had was in remembering the lines.
L: What sequence did you enjoy the most?
A: As I said before, one of my favorites is the one in the cemetery. Domiziano is also very good at photography and as his usual, he invents some brilliant shots. One for example, is the one in my room, in which from under the bed you can see my bloody foot. Beautiful colors!
L: How did the collaboration with Domiziano Cristopharo come about?
A: I met Domiziano, thanks to my activity for Nero Café, which often brings me to meet with directors and actors. Not infrequently, we also participate in initiatives organized by other entities. As I said, we are mostly passionate!
L: Give us your thoughts on the first two episodes of Phantasmagoria: "Diabolique" by Mickael Abbate and "My Gift to You" by Tiziano Martella.
A: I saw for the first time Phantasmagoria at the preview screening at the Barberini a few days ago as part of the Fantafestival. I hadn't seen anything before, even the episodes where I act, and I liked them all. By Diabolique I liked the cinematography and the actors' acting, but not so much the ending, which leaves the story a bit hanging. My Gift to You is amazing: it kept me glued to my seat for the entire duration. Very good the main character, Cristina Puccinelli, and how not to mention the great Venantino Venantini. By the way, I'm really scary in at least two scenes in this episode!
L: Incidentally, you also collaborated with the latter for his episode My Gift to You. How long was your character's make-up session? Can you tell us about it?
A: Yes, in this episode I play the villain. Every day, the make-up took 3 to 4 hours, and then, after the scenes were over, another hour to remove my makeup. Mask and make-up were done by the very talented Luigi D'Andrea, with whom I immediately found a lot of harmony.
L: If I asked you to make an overall judgment about Phantasmagoria, what would it be?
A: Phantasmagoria is a fine independent project that has many positive aspects, but there is no shortage of things to review. All the episodes are technically flawless and very visually beautiful, however, in my opinion, The Steel-Tongued Serpent has an extra arrow to its bow: the very successful screenplay, written by Davide Chiara.
L: How did you experience the Fantafestival?
A: I was excited and worried that people would be more impressed by my nude scenes than by the movie! Ahahaha! There were some technical problems and also some stupid hecklers who partly spoiled the viewing. As a festival fan and viewer, I hope that such things do not happen again.
L: Have you had any other experiences in film before this?
A: I was an extra for the web-series ShadowS, directed by Giuseppe Capudi, aka Scorpio. Then I also acted in a short film, but I can't say anything about that. This is definitely the first one of some importance.
L: Tell us about your taste in movies. What are your favorite horror movies?
A: Definitely there is the first love: Nightmare - From the Depths of the Night. I love The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, and Phenomena by Dario Argento, who are also two of my favorite directors. But I also really enjoyed more recent productions, such as Silent Hill, directed by Christophe Gans, and Rob Zombie's The House of 1000 Bodies.
L: New projects on the horizon?
A: I'm waiting for some answers, but I can't say anything for now. And then of course, I continue to work for Nero Cafe, Nero Press Editions, and last but not least, Loudvision. And who knows someday, it might be my turn to interview someone from DarkVeins!
L: An opinion on this interview?
A: Generally, I am on your side and do the interviews. I'm not used to being on this side. Anyway, I liked the questions and I'm glad there are professional and genre-loving people like you.
L: There is always a first time! Leave a message for DarkVeins readers!
A: I end with a personal battle of my own. Dear readers, I invite you to discover independent projects. Read books, listen to music and watch movies, by independent brands and authors, you will be surprised by the quality and courage of certain works. And if you are undecided whether to buy an independent or a big name, choose the former, you will do good for your pockets and the economy! Stay horror, stay DarkVeins!
L: DarkVeins thanks you Alberto!
