Brando De Sica Guest at Magna Graecia Film Festival to Present “Mimì – The Prince of Darkness”
Brando De Sica was a special guest at the Magna Graecia Film Festival to present his latest film “Mimì – The Prince of Darkness”, a horror-fantasy that has captivated the audience of the annual film festival held in the beautiful setting of Catanzaro Lido. De Sica, son and grandson of artists, has transitioned from acting to directing with the goal of bringing one of his greatest passions to the big screen: horror films. We had the opportunity to interview Brando De Sica and discuss the film, his family, and his passions.
BRANDO DE SICA – INTERVIEW
Brando De Sica, why did you choose to make a horror film?
“For me, horror has always been a passion. Since I was a child, I discovered cinema through horror films. My uncle Manuel was a great collector and cinephile, and I remember taking the VHS of Dracula, Night of the Living Dead by Romero, and it opened the Pandora’s box for me. Also through literature, my first film had to be a horror film, a love letter to this genre of cinema.”
What did you feel was essential for this film and what did you strongly want to include?
“I believe that in any film, the honesty of the director and the passion should never be missing. Films are a very complex matter, and I can’t do things without heart. They may turn out better or worse, but the important thing is to put passion into it.”
How did you choose the actors?
“I knew who Mimì was in my head but had not met the actor yet. The casting process is crucial for me; actors, after the screenplay, are the most important thing. Coming from a family of actors and having been an actor myself, I love all their aspects and vulnerabilities. I had a great casting. I remember that at the time, we were in the midst of COVID, and it was all more complex. I saw many talented actors, and in the end, the role of Carmilla went to Sara Ciocca and Mimì to Domenica Cuomo. They are not only two exceptional talents, but I have grown very fond of them and can’t wait to work with them again.”
Has it been challenging to enter the film industry with such a well-known family name?
“Absolutely, it is a great responsibility, a great honor. I hope to do my best. We are three different generations, incomparable with my grandfather, who was an absolute genius, and my father. I might be a Sunday painter, I don’t know, but all three of us are very passionate about this work, and then there’s also my cousin Andrea, and the Verdone part with Uncle Carlo.”
What memories do you have of being a child in a house frequented by movie stars?
“My parents don’t socialize much with people in the film industry. I was fortunate to meet mainly when I was in America; it was a beautiful experience.”
You started as an actor and then moved behind the camera. What led to this decision?
“I knew from the beginning that I wanted to be a director. When you act, you are part of the film; when you direct, you make the film. As a child, I organized plays as a director, then I started making short films. An opportunity came, and I was called to play a small part in ‘Compañeros de clase,’ it was a beautiful period. After that, since my calling was directing, I chose to focus on directing.”
What are you currently working on?
“I am working on another project, and I have also received a proposal from America.”
Would you like to tell the story of your family in a film one day?
“Maybe in a documentary, why not! It’s an idea.”
End of Article.