Q and A with Luigi Dias, Director of "Chilli Beans Punk-Glam Swarovski" — his film was nominated for Best Make Up and Hairstyle at LFFF 2015.
Q. How and when did you become interested in filmmaking?
A. Since June 1977, to be exact. That's when Star Wars made its debut on the big screen. Later I was into comics and stuff and got to be Brazil's number one artist in the late 80's. I always had that cinema approach. The leap from comics and art directing to filmmaking was natural.
Q. Why make a fashion film?
A. I love fashion; why not? But the approach has to be fresh and exciting. Fashion films, in my country, are total second-hand rip-offs. I don't want to make them better; I want to make them different.
Q. What makes fashion film different to other short film genres?
A. Mostly because it's linked to the fashion universe through a brand. I can make a fashion film out of a toothpaste script. In the end, it all comes down to desire, sex and attitude.
Q. How did you cast this film? What were you looking for in your characters?
A. The main character (Crystal) is played by my wife, and first assistant director, Melissa Oxlade. She actually sings the song in the film. She has all these great gifts, apart from being this ass-kicking-knock-out-bombshell.
Q. Do you have friends making movies as well, and do you sense competition amongst you? What do you think of their movies?
A. There are a lot of people doing fashion commercials here in Brazil that have no eye for fashion whatsoever. But, yes, we have some great fashion photographers, and competition is intense since the market is so small.
Q. What was your original concept for making the film?
A. The agency came with the title "Punk-Glam Swarovski" — just that. I wrote the script and the lyrics using the This Corrosion video, by The Sisters of Mercy, as reference. It was fun.
Q. What was the biggest challenge for you in the process of making this film?
A. The budget.
Q. How did you decide about clothing, jewellery and make up?
A. Again, 80's Goth was a great inspiration. I think it all came from there — bands like Ghost Dance, The Sisters of Mercy, etc.
