Headlines›› •FGFF Hollywood 2012 Interview with Tim Gorski and Synthian Sharp•FGFF Hollywood 2012 Interview with Alec Pedersen•Down In Front – Winter Drive In•The Old Testament•ID Fest Preview•WATCH The Southern Belle•The Southern Belle•FilmSnobbery Live! – Episode 91•FilmSnobbery Live! – Episode 90•FilmSnobbery Live! – Episode 89

10 questions for Oscar-nominated Director Hallvar Witzo

10 questions for Hallvar Witzo, director of Oscar-nominated short film, Tuba Atlantic.

Question 1. Why did you become a filmmaker?

I grew up with dynamite in one hand and my dad’s VHS-camera from Tokyo in the other. I never stopped exploring and getting into trouble as a kid. I think this creative and exciting way of growing up is the main reason I became a filmmaker.

Another big influence on me was my experiences with my dad. He was a projectionist at Vanvikan Cinema. Actually it wasn’t a cinema, but a building meant for all cultural activities in Vanvikan. The “cinema” only ran on Sundays. So every Sunday I took the ferry across the fjord with my dad as his eager assistant. I was in charge of carrying the heavy 35mm rolls up the long winding stairs. Often we were in a winter storm or in pouring rain, but I loved it. It inspired me to become what I am today. Just holding a 35mm frame in my hands brings back memories from Vanvikan cinema and memories like the Jurassic Park screening. It was so crowded I had to sit 6 feet from the screen. My neck was a total mess trying to see everything up and down.

I have always been telling a story, and now I’m glad that’s what I’m still doing after 27 years.

Question 2. In the film Oskar has 6 days to live. What would you do if you had 6 days to live?

If I had six days to live, I would make each of the six days an adventure! I would do and see something new every day with the people I care about. My busy calendar would be something like this:

Day 1: Dress like a penguin with my older brother in Antarctica and walk on the shore together with the sea lions and penguins.

Day 2: Fly with my mom in a old Russian fighter-jet. I don’t know what would be the funniest— my mom in a G-suit or just the fact that we are renting a MiG for 20 minutes.

Day 3: Somehow have my dad meet Steven Spielberg. He is such a fan and I think he has run all his movies at Vanvikan Cinema, so that would be something special.

Day 4: Take my 5 year old niece to Disneyland. I have never been there myself, but I remember I always wanted to go as a child.

Day 5: Bring all my family and friends for a great and fun goodbye party. It would be my way of saying, “don’t worry, be happy”. I would screen my last film; my last 6 days: My brother and the penguins, my mom during a Russian loop, my little niece watching the fireworks in Disneyland, and finally my dad and Spielberg exchanging stories from the 80’s.

Day 6: Have a cup of joe and die peacefully.

Question 3. If you could work with anyone who would it be?

I have such a huge respect for the work of Vittorio Storaro, the Cinematographer of Apocalypse Now. It would have to be him or the fantastic Janusz Kaminski who shot Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan.

Among actors I would love to work with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Gary Oldman.

Question 4. What is something quirky about you?

I have one great dance move: I can get under 1’5 feet dancing the limbo.

Question 5. You are 27 now, what do you hope to accomplish by 30?

My first feature is now close to starting production in Norway and Denmark and I’m already in development with my second feature, so I’m hoping that in three years I will be finished directing my second feature and in pre-production on my third. I’m also hoping to gain stronger connections in the US and that I will eventually make a film here as well.

Question 6. What is your favorite film?

Hard to say only one, but Apocalypse Now is a film that made the strongest impression on me. I finally had the chance of seeing it on 35mm three years ago, but the projectionist (not my dad) had made a mistake so halfway through the film it started with the end credits upside down. I refused to leave the cinema so I told the projectionist to run it anyway and stood up side down on the chair holding myself up with my arms and my feet in the air. At least I could see the beautiful images even tough everything was reversed including the sound.

Question 7. Can’t live without my (fill in the blank..)

I can’t live without my Nikon 35mm still camera and a bunch of positive color rolls in my pocket. A still can inspire me in so many ways to create a story.

Question 8. You are very patriotic and have such a love for your country. What do you love most about it?

I love Norway because of all the stories that is told in our country, the sagas, fables and everyday tales. I also love Norway because of our open democratic politics. I can say whatever I want without fearing for my life. Not all countries have that privilege.

I also feel the nation’s leader, Prime Minister Stoltenberg, led the country through the sorrow of the terror that hit Oslo last summer. Instead of talking about revenge and anger, he told a whole nation to be more democratic and more open about our opinions. Also the Royal King Harald the 7th reminded me why I love Norway by really comforting his Kingdom with touching words that helped every Norwegian to get up again after losing so many young people at the Utoya Island.

Question 9. Why do you love LA?

All the great open-minded people! I can’t think of any place on earth where people are more friendly and easy to talk to. I’m a curious person and I love when Californians open up their heart and mind when they talk. I love LA, and especially Santa Monica, more and more every day I’m here. I guess it will be hard going back to 10 degrees Fahrenheit in Oslo.

Question 10. To relax… (fill in blank)

I hate relaxing. That’s what my mom always wanted me to do. I caused her a lot of grey hairs with of my projects over flooding the house and backyard. So I guess I can relax for 10 minutes before I’m up running and working on something larger than life.

What’s Does It Feel Like To Be Nominated? Let Hallvar Show You!