DarkVeins interviewed Davi De Oliveira Pinheiro, a Brazilian producer, screenwriter and director who was involved in the production of Boundaries of Thought and five episodes of the online series Think Thank You Played by David Lynch. Beyond the Grave is his first feature film, a horror genre film that flows into the road movie, action genre and even spaghetti western with a dash of esotericism.
Written and directed by Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro (who co-produced with Isidoro B. Guggiana), Beyond the Grave won 13 awards, including the "Best Horror Feature Award" at the Arizona Underground Film Festival and the "Audience Choice Award for Best Latin American Feature" at Montevideo Fantástico (Uruguay). Production of the film was handled by Lockheart Filmes Ltda.
L: Hi Davi, tell us about yourself.
Q: I was just thinking about what to write about me when I got this interview. And I thought about so many things! I could call myself self-centered, then thinking about the kind of work that attracts me right now and how science fiction novels are very important to me, I guess I could call myself a kind of crazy romantic, as of 2014.
L: What drew you into the world of filmmaking?
Q: I have always dreamed of becoming a filmmaker since I was a child. I met a friend from elementary school a few months ago and remembered that when I was little I said I would become one of two things: a filmmaker or the President of Brazil. So, I chose filmmaking. I didn't want to go into politics because I have no stomach for corruption.
L: You recently directed two short films. Can you tell us about them?
Q: My two most recent short films are. The Soul Detective and The Perfect Kiss. Both have a rather strange production history. The Perfect Kiss was filmed three years before Beyond the Grave, while The Soul Detective was shot a couple of months ago and released exactly one year after the feature film was produced. I like to experiment while making short films. I try not to lapse into banality, and I think the fear of not making it makes it much more interesting.
The idea of The Perfect Kiss was to create an almost picture-less short film--with a strong visual impact--that begins and ends before the audience realizes what it has seen. It has a very short duration and drags on unnoticed. It is risky because it alienates the audience's 90%, but I like it.
The Soul Detective Is another experimental film. It is about cinema and its possibilities. The sets, movements, dialogue, photography and production design are not thought out. In the film is all my experience and interaction with the actors, the space around us, my idea of what cinema could be. It is a true portrait of who I was during the long post-production of Beyond the Grave And it is one of my all-time favorite works.
L: Beyond the Grave (Porto dos Mortos) is your first feature film. The film perfectly combines the post-apocalyptic world with magic and horror. How did the idea come about?
Q: Well. The film is everything I have experienced, everything I have felt since I was born, which made me discover the arts and which led me to finish it in my 32nd year. It was a kind of mission. Until now, I don't think I've ever had Beyond the Grave well defined in my head. It was made at the height of my inexperience and innocence; it was an experience that I can never do again.
More than being classified as a good or bad film, I think it shows a clear point of view. The film captures a moment in my life, a way of thinking of both me and my crew that was born at a specific time. There are several references, of course, quotes and details, and even small details from other films but the most important thing is that the film was created by the people who brought it to life, a terrific crew and cast.
L: You are the producer, screenwriter, director and also the executive music producer of the film. What are the difficulties you encountered?
Q: In production, without any doubt, since it was a self-financed venture (50% by me, 50% by Isidore B. Guggiana) that created pressure and an excessive sense of responsibility. In some cases, producing is more important than writing and directing the film. Let's say that producing the film allowed me to use my resources carefully.
L: Rafael Tombini is the protagonist of Porto dos Mortos. He is a policeman who hunts a serial killer. Can you tell us about this character? Was it difficult for Tombini to play this role?
Q: Rafael can do anything. He is an incredible actor and will become a star. If it was difficult for him, he didn't point it out. He was honest and fully immersed himself in a character that was a big question mark for others but instead he fully understood and played well.
L: What was it like working with Rafael?
Q: Our collaboration began after the making of a short film I wrote, Tea Time. I met Rafael on this occasion and proposed him the part of the policeman. On the set he told me that initially he thought I was crazy. During the production of Beyond the Grave Instead, he understood that I meant what I said.
We hit it off right from the start. Rafael understood the world I was trying to build in the film while I understood what he needed as an actor. His character gave great moments, some full of humor, some full of dense characterization. We have a great relationship and are still looking for the right project so that we can work together again.
L: Is there a possibility of a sequel?
Q: The world of Beyond the Grave is open to a very esoteric sequel that I plan to make in the future. If the first film is about revenge, I want the second to be about forgiveness, so a more difficult and human theme.
L: What are you working on right now? What are your future plans?
Q: As a director, I'm working on editing the sci-fi All That Could Have Been, the most difficult film I've ever made. It deals with the end of the world and how it affects a man's memories in his last seconds of life. It was recently selected for the Berlinale Talents Editing Studio and was a transformative experience for me. In the meantime, we shot another short film, a little romantic drama called Another Empty Space. So, as I said before, I am showing a softer side, trying to find a connection with other human beings through my films.
I am also editing a pilot called Jack Hammer, an action-comedy created by actor Felipe Monaco.
I am also involved in the development of the cosmic novel By the Sea and the anthology The End of History.
L: What is your favorite genre of movies? What is the best horror movie and why?
Q: I have no favorite genres of films. For me they all mix and blend to create a beautiful mosaic of humanity.
As for horror, I prefer films like The Afterlife, Dellamorte Dellamore, The Exorcist, Kwaidan, Lord of Evil, and the Phantasm series, among many others. These are films that stimulated my imagination and gave me emotions.
The Beyond is a journey of pure madness, without any logical explanation, oozing horror and terror throughout.
I consider Dellamorte Dellamore a place of exploration of philosophy and reflection on humanity.
The exorcist deals with the greatest fear of all: the fear of losing someone you love and not being able to do all you can to help them.
Kwaidan is one of the finest films ever made, even if what it addresses is the sphere of nightmares.
In The Lord of Evil, the theme, music, and cinematography serve a crescendo of tension.
The Phantasm series is pure horror.
My favorite movies change every day. There is so much to remember in the horror genre, and there are also so many movies to watch in the future.
L: What are your film influences?
Q: At this time Fellini, Bava, Tarkovsky, Zulawski, Miike, Hellmann, Coppola, Carpenter, Leone, Oz, Ford, Lang, Rivette, Ozu, Sganzerla, Rocha, Almeida Prado, Resnais , Soavi, Wheatley, Jodorowsky, Demme, Kluge, Costa, Martel, Hu, Ophüls, Bergman, Minnelli, Russel, Suzuki, Brakhage, Leigh, Cassavetes, Ray, and all the endless stars of cinema.
I don't want to make movies similar to the ones these guys made. I just want to be as honest with myself as they have been.
L: Is there anything you would like to tell DarkVeins readers?
Q: Don't mix with the masses, try to have your own way of thinking before you join a style of thinking. It is extremely important to be yourself and you only exist now, in this place, in time.
L: Thank you for your helpfulness Davi and good luck!
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