Words can be wolves in disguise and we tend to grow weary and cautious with the extensive use of some of them. The word “dream” — as in “living a dream” — can be one of them. So many dreams everywhere to be felt, sold and consumed. This is why when Chris Buzelli talks about having experienced a reality better than a dream at the Clermont Filmfest, that has to mean something, for real.
Every once in a great while, reality is much better than a dream. That’s the only way I can sum up my past week’s experience in Clermont-FD at the filmfest.
These are the actual first lines that Chris Buzelli wrote me back when I asked him for a short interview in this nobody’s blog. I won’t get all excited about this but I just want to set the context. His poster for the filmfest has been kind of a great deal and I thought, as I had to write about my experience of the event for Auvergne Nouveau Monde, that interviewing his creator would be meaningful. From what I read about him, he seemed quite open to that kind of interview and just tried it out. Here it comes with a huge “thank you” for his kind answers and… no more words.
We know that you were in the jury last year and that this lead to you drawing the poster this year. But how did you connect with the filmfest in the first place?
I was told that the filmfest chooses one artist to be on the jury every year. I was very fortunate to have been chosen. Hopefully my art work was the reason for this decision.
It’s “funny” because when your poster came out some people in Clermont-Ferrand did not quite get it and discuss it on social networks… obviously you had to know the story behind to understand the fly/the bicycle. And I don’t know if you paid attention to that but we do have now a swarm of your flies all around the city with the Filmfest bags! A friend of mine working at the shop told me that they can’t stop selling these. So, in the end, your work did work out for itself, no more explanations needed… The question is: do you think you have different audiences for art&posters?
The most popular question for me this past week was, “Why the fly? And my usual reply was “You tell me”. And I was told so many great stories for the boy on the bike and the fly. I met a biologist at the Michelin party who told me all about why she thought the fly was a perfect choice for the festival. I met many of the local school children during class visits to my exhibition and they had wonderful stories to tell about the fly. This is the reason why I chose that image. I wanted to create interest and leave it open to others imagination. Too many times we are force fed literal translations and that is not what I want to do with my work. Luckily, Antoine Lopez and the others in charge of the flimfest believed in me and gave me the freedom to create.
And yes, the boy on the bike with the fly was inspired by the Grand Prix winner from last year, Para Amar Un Helicoptero. Much like my work, this film used an animal/bug as a metaphor for something much greater. And for me, the boy on the bike in my poster represented the short film makers. And this film maker is bringing his beautiful surprising creative film in the form of a fly to Clermont-FD.
Did you have the time to enjoy specific places in Clermont-Ferrand? Did you visit more of Auvergne? When you’re coming from such a —I guess— spectacular place as Lake Michigan, does it relate to you?
Last year I had a bit more time to explore the Auvergne region. A few filmmakers and my wife drove a car to La Bourboule and stayed with another local filmmaker in the snow covered mountains in his families cottage. It was breathtaking! I wish I had more time this year to explore the region, however I was booked with school visits and meetings in my exhibition. It was wonderful meeting many of the local children and teenagers of the region. We had some great question and answer sessions. I couldn’t have done it without Isabelle Fesquet. She was in charge of organizing and directing the visits. Her warm an upbeat energy was infectious and she was fantastic with the children. I also have to thank my many interpreters, especially Thiebault. I tried to speak a bit of French but I need much more practice.
I also had to leave early because on Friday I’m the co-chair of the Society of Illustrators Annual Awards Show in NYC. It is a day where many illustrators come to NYC to see the original winning work hanging at the Society of Illustrators famed gallery and to celebrate the medal winners for that year. It is very similar to the flimfest competition in Clermont-FD.
You have an exposition going on at our “Conseil General” right now and I read that you get many of those in USA but have you had other shows in Europe and/or France?
I’ve had my oil paintings in various group shows around the world but my exposition at “Conseil General” was something a bit different. It was sort of like a retrospective of my work for past few years. I’ve never had a retrospective and I was just proud to see it connect to so many locals and filmfest attendees. I have to really thank the Conseil General for allowing me this opportunity. And they threw a really special party for me last night. The 5 piece band played quintessential Americana songs as many people danced the night away, ate mini hamburgers, donuts and pop-corn. Like I said, it was a dream!!!!
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