03/04/2003 - The Italian entrepreneur, who's the head of Verdecchi Films, talks to us about his work, projects and his small, but enterprising group

"We’re available to take on new projects in collaboration with foreign producers". The Italian Alessandro Verdecchi looking to Europe and outlining an overview of his work, talking about co-productions, projects and new challenges.
Verdecchi Film was launched at the last Venice Film Festival and is made up of 4 companies run by the brothers Alessandro and Vincenzo Verdecchi: Veradia Film, the co-producer of films like Tosca by Benoît Jacquot; Misani Film, which concentrates on the production of quality films; Orango Distribuzione, working mainly on the distribution of films produced by the group and as well on foreign projects and Pegaso Film, focussing on television projects.

This means the projects have a progression cycle for this small group. As well as production and distribution, it also works on foreign sales and has recently taken over the running of the prestigious cinema studios at Skopje in Macedonia.

Six months on from the creation of this new structure, what’s the overview of your activities?
“It’s definitely positive. Unfortunately the current situation is difficult both in Italy and abroad, so the objectives we set have been put back. We’re producing the film by Tonino Zangardi, starring Valeria Golino, Prendimi (e portami via) but we’re also keeping up the distribution side: we recently took on the American film Tortilla Soup".

What do you think about the current situation in the realm of production, as well as the new legislation being proposed?
“The plans put forward by the Minister (of Culture) Urbani, and also those from various organisations working in the sector, from ANICA (the Italian Film, Audiovisual and Multimedia Industries' Association) to API (the Italian Filmmakers' & Producers' Association), are interesting. But the difficult thing is making contact with producers, especially with foreign ones, outside the normal circuit of personal contacts.
I think more can be done about this, with meetings being set up more frequently. There are workshops promoted by the European MEDIA programme, but I think that governments should also help to overcome this barrier to “getting to know each other”. We’re very interested in exchanges with other foreign and Italian producers. In fact there’s a person working on exactly this in our group, Loris Curci, and we’re in a position to say that we’re available to look at new projects with a view to collaborations”.

Are you satisfied with the co-production mechanisms?
“The crucial thing is to simplify the bureaucratic procedures for co-productions with other European Union countries. Even if I only invest 5% in an ambitious European project, I should get the same help and support as when I invest the same amount in an Italian film. We’re in a free market, but the laws don’t seem to be up to the job, we need more modern agreements which take new economic factors into consideration.
The Americans have a potential audience of more than 300 million, and we also have the possibility to reach 200 million people. If a project is co-produced by 3-4 countries, it will be released in those countries, enabling it to have more funding and the chance to be seen by more people. Italy needs to try to create a solid industrial base, which can guarantee a more stable starting point for our productions. We shouldn’t rely on sporadic cases of foreign success, which happen because the film is good, but sometimes it’s also down to pure luck”.

Tell us about this new project in Macedonia.
“During the signing of a bilateral co-production agreement (of the traditional type, with minimum investments of 20%) between Italy and Macedonia, we met the Macedonian Prime Minister and we starting considering running the Skopje Cinema studios. I have to go to do a technical investigation but from what I’ve seen they’re in a good condition, built in the Soviet style, they’re enormous. And they’re sufficiently modern, equipped with digital technology and in a good location. You could also go there to shoot an Italian or European film. It’s a new challenge for our small group”.