Filmmaker Profile: Splendido! by Sophie Mager
Sophie Mager, director of Splendido!
Sophie Mager has been Producing commercials and short films for over 20 years but recently made her directing debut.
This Q&A is part of the Bushwick Film Fest Filmmaker Q&A series.
What inspired you to create this film, and how did the initial idea come to you?
The moment I walked into Vinnie’s iron works I knew I had to document it. The walls are covered in years of dirt, sweat and metal and hundreds of faded photographs. I have walked past their gates every day for 10 years and never know anything about them. When Vinnie started telling me his story it read like the perfect American Dream. And yet when I spoke to his son all was not what it seemed. And it didn’t seem perfect at all. I became intrigued by the dynamic of Father and Son and their roles in creating and maintaining their American dream.
Why does this story need to be told now?
I joined Vinnie’s story at a pivotal moment for the family. Having founded the business and worked uninterrupted for 63 years Vinnie was at the end of his journey. Aged 88 he couldn't carry on. Developer's were circling their prime double lot in the heart of Cobble Hill. I felt an urgency to tell their story before the walls were stripped and bulldozed and this little piece of American history was lost forever.
How do you want people to feel after they see your film?
My hope is that people watch this film and get a sense of Vinnie and his life and the sacrifices that were made for his family. And in turn the sacrifices that they have had to make to keep their father’s dream alive. It is a tale that is both inspiring and sad. Devotion to money and loss of freedom.
What was a big challenge you faced while making this film?
The language barrier was hard to overcome. Vinnie speaks in a mix of English, Italian and Spanish. It makes for a very unusual sound and took quite a long time to piece together.
What is something that all filmmakers should keep in mind in order to become better cinematic storytellers?
Something I was taught that I try to keep reminding myself: if a shot is not moving the story forward - however much you might love it - lose it. I’m still working on this.
Films are lasting artistic legacies; what do you want yours to say?
I want this short film to be a testament to a man’s dedication to his craft, his family, to money and building a better life. He came from jail in Sicily to being a multimillionaire in New York. And yet heavy is the weight of the dreams he has carried. But I hope this film can pay a small tribute to a giant of a man whose story might otherwise go unheard.
If you weren’t a filmmaker, what would you be doing?
I’d be doing a few more school drop offs for my 3 children. You can’t have it all.
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird.
What three things do you always have in your refrigerator?
Milk, wine, and kefir.
Sophie Magner’s Q&A is part of the Bushwick Film Fest Filmmaker Q&A series.
