Who was Gabriela Pichler before becoming a director?
A cookie factory worker who started to study film and chose to follow her dreams.
Why did you choose this story for your debut film?
Because of the importance to redefine the image of today's Sweden. To have a female main character that really stands out with her tough no-shit -attitude and drive. And to celebrate a father-daughter relationship seldom shown on the screen.
How was working for the first time on the feature lenght film?
The same anxiety, doubts and problems as in making short films, but stretched out over a longer time period lasting 3 and half years…
How was the experience on the set? (Most satisfying and more difficult moment?)
The best thing was to work with people who had never been in front of a camera, and see them accomplishing amazing acting! That moves me every time!
The most difficult thing was to keep on trusting my gut feeling and my convictions, despite the lack of time and money that is always haunting you.
At the moment, do you have any idea for future projects?
Yes! but too little time…
Also in your previous work (Skrapsår – 2008) you casted non-professional actors: is it a stylistic choice? Do you think non-professional actors can express something more than professionals?
I think acting is also based on our background experiences, both at the social and ethnic level. So if I want to find an actress to play the main character, and I want her to be brought up among the Swedish working class, with an ex-Jugoslavian background and a second language, with that southern Swedish dialect and factory working experience – well, then most actors in Sweden would not fit in with this description. I want the acting to be totally authentic and true, and I often based my idea of the characters on the people we met and fell for during our long casting period.
Your background is in documentary studies. Did it have an influence on this work?
Yes, it surely had. I always wanted those people to make a step forward and be seen on the screen, as they normally do not have the chance to be heard. That was my mission from the beginning, and still is.
30.08 — 09.09