Taking the Director’s Chair: Ilaria Malvezzi Explores a New Creative Chapter
We were lucky to catch up with Ilaria Malvezzi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ilaria, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
From an early age, I was fortunate to have three exceptional mentors who have played a pivotal role in shaping my life and career. My father, despite our often-conflicting relationship ( I was a little rebel… ), instilled in me a strong sense of self-determination and the courage to pursue my own path, even when it diverged from his expectations.
Dance, however, stands out as the most influential experience in my life. It has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the power of self-discipline. Dance has raised my threshold for both physical and emotional pain, teaching me the importance of treating my body as an instrument and the direct correlation between my physical and mental well-being.
The demanding nature of dance has also instilled in me the ability to manage stress, pressure, and exhaustion, and to bounce back from setbacks with determination. I have learned to confront disappointments head-on. Dance has also fostered my respect for authority and the importance of accepting constructive criticism without resistance.
New York City, the vibrant and relentless metropolis, has served as a crucible for my personal and professional growth. It has challenged me to push beyond my perceived limitations and embrace the limitless possibilities that life has to offer. New York demands excellence, refusing to accommodate mediocrity or complacency. It is a city that rewards audacity, ambition, and a willingness to embrace the unconventional.
New York has injected in me the resilience to pivot, refine my strategies, and redefine my dreams, always ready to present myself with renewed vigor and a steadfast commitment to my craft.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I recently had the honor of directing my debut short film, “Halted.” The project began in the summer of 2022, and I initially envisioned a Ukrainian director to bring my vision to life. However, during the fall, the chosen director had to step away from the project due to unforeseen circumstances. At first this sudden change left me feeling uncertain about the future of the film, as the script held immense personal significance for me. The characters had become deeply ingrained in my mind, and I couldn’t imagine entrusting the story to anyone else.
BoIdly, I decided to take step into the director’s shoes, wholeheartedly supported by my partners Executive Producer Annie McGovern and Producer Dan DeFilippo, and the experience proved to be one of the most incredible of my life.
As the director, I gained not only creative control over my own script but also the privilege of witnessing the film unfold before my very eyes. The trust placed in me by my talented actors, Josefina Scaro, Ben Becher, Annie McGovern and our remarkable young star, 8-year old Lukian Lewkowicz, fueled my desire to explore the characters’ depths while realizing that these exceptional actors were destined to embody these roles. With each passing day, I saw my vision materialize, transforming into a tangible and compelling narrative.
“Halted” shares the story of Lucia and Ben, Lucia and Ben, a couple who struggle with infertility. They decide to adopt Maksym, a six year old Ukrainian boy when Russia invades Ukraine, snatching away from them their last hope of becoming a family.
It’s one of the many stories I heard on YouTube that struck a chord with me. As I’ve discussed the film with others, I’ve been surprised by how many people are unaware of the war’s complexities and far-reaching consequences. ‘Halted’ humanizes global conflicts and reminds us that overseas wars have a more profound impact on our lives than we might imagine.
We are currently in post-production phase. I’ve been collaborating with a team of exceptional artists, each masters of their craft, from my wonderful Editor Frank Bologna, Sound Designer/Mixer Andrew Markus, Composer Adonis Tsilimparis, VFX Artists Jeremy Wanek and Colorist Jay Ness. Each artist plays a pivotal role in shaping the film’s final form.
This collaborative experience highlighted the profound impact that every small decision and detail can have on a cinematic moment. It deepened my appreciation for the art of filmmaking, and ushered in me a new level of personal growth as I supervised every aspect of the process.
Stepping behind the camera offered me a unique perspective that complemented my background as an actor. It ignited a newfound passion for directing and I am eager to continue exploring it and pursuing it with full-on dedication.
As for “Halted,” my team and I are thrilled to share our creation with you and the world. We hope that you will find resonance with the soul of the film and appreciate the result of our collective efforts.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
It’s challenging to narrow down only three skills/qualities/areas of knowledge! But as a director, leadership is a skill I have practiced. Acting as both the director and producer is akin to being the captain of a ship, and my foremost priority is always to create a harmonious, safe, and healthy environment. Meaningful art cannot flourish in chaos, negligence, or internal conflicts. During production, numerous unforeseen challenges may arise, and decisions and plans may need to be altered. However, it is crucial to make the crew feel secure and at ease throughout these moments. As a mother, I feel a natural inclination and responsibility to protect, guide, and care for the individuals I have selectively chosen to be part of my team (besides feeding them nutritious food on set!).
A collaborative spirit is another necessary quality in the filmmaking arena, given that it is inherently a collaborative art form. Each contributor possesses extensive knowledge in their specific craft, leaving no room for ego. Trusting your partners, allowing them to execute the tasks they were hired for, and, if necessary, seeking different collaborators if visions don’t align are crucial aspects of successful collaborations.
My third key quality is maintaining a clear vision. I must have a well-defined vision of the story I want to tell, how I want to convey it, and with whom I want to collaborate, leaving, of course, space for surprises and maintaining an open mind to unexpected and spontaneous inspirations! This requires perseverance, determination, effective communication, and an enduring passion and love for the project.
If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to persist, follow through, and never give up. If a chosen path proves challenging, it’s okay to adjust course without abandoning the dream.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
In the past few years, the person who has most profoundly influenced my personal and professional growth is my partner Dan DeFilippo. Dan is a brilliant writer and Emmy Award-winning producer with a deep understanding of the filmmaking industry and artistic process. Thanks to him, I have gained invaluable insights into the business side of show business, a realm I had long avoided, seeking refuge in my artistic bubble. However, with time, this self-imposed avoidance became more of an impediment than a protective shield.
Dan’s unique blend of artistry and business acumen has been a source of great inspiration for me. He navigates the industry with remarkable competence, grace, and professionalism, showing me that success can be achieved without compromising one’s artistic integrity. He has taught me the art of balancing my artistic and creative sensibilities with the practical demands of business, empowering me to wear my “business suit” when necessary while embracing my artistic nature with devoted passion.
Dan is not only an exceptional mentor but also my loving life partner. Together, we co-founded Movenze Films, our film production company, and we are eager to continuing our artistic journey together, seamlessly blending our personal and professional lives, creativity and business, into a harmonious and joyful tapestry. In addition, we cherish every opportunity to sail the Atlantic Ocean on Dan’s boat, C’ Est La Vie!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.movenzefilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movenze/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilaria.malvezzi.9
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilariamalvezzi/
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm5889828/?rf=cons_nm_more&ref_=cons_nm_more
Image Credits
Professional Photo: Francesco Rossi
