Interview: Andrea Arnold, film director

I just let my feelings rise

Things have changed, technically above all, and it is easier for everyone to make films. So I think, as time goes, we all can see more films not only by women, but also by people that couldn't make it before. This is a natural progression


By ISABEL BENITEZ (isabel.benitez@wavemagazine.net)
from Seville, SPAIN


Instinctive and a big believer. This is the way Andrea Arnold defines herself. She is British and only 30 years old, but she is just one of the most acclaimed European film maker.

Her professional career starts at television, where she was an actress and presenter, and now she is the one who decides what goes on behind and in front of cameras. She was awarded with Oscar in 2005. This year she won the Prize of Jury in Cannes and her name was on the list of nominated directors in the Seville European Film Festival (SEFF'09) and in the European Film Academy Award.

However, she always says she doesn't really look for anything. Although she admits that Oscar or another acknowledgement can make things easier, she prefers not to think about results, just enjoying the 'journey' (the writing of the script, the castings, the shooting) which - she considers - is the most exciting and scary part of the film making. She is an example of how feminine gender is finding its place in movies industry, among directors, producers and scriptwriters. And there are always women in her films; strong, temperamental, decisive women.

Her last production, Fish Tank is the story of a 15-year-old girl whose life changes when she meets her mother's new boyfriend. The life of a still young rebellious woman who doesn't care about what people or even her family thought about her. An inexperienced Katie Jarvis (Mia) tries to bring to screen a character that should grow up as quickly as she can if she wants to survive. Andrea Arnold felt her perfect for the role, she felt Katie Jarvis authentic in the kind of person she was.

Nevertheless, Fish Tank follows the path started with her first movie - Red Road. In fact, the movie was also a part of the Spanish festival and caught audience's attention. Her stunning stories and the way it was filmed helped spreading her name all over Europe, and WAVE magazine used the opportunity to talk to her.

Your last stop has been Seville European Film Festival. There were more female directors this year. As a woman and a director, how do you feel this? How do you find the increasing presence of women in film making? Many people consider it a great conquest, an essential step to get gender equality.

- Well, it is true. This year it seems to be more women than men and I think it is the natural evolution. There are numerous women making films; I know many of them. But maybe not everybody knows about them, although I think they are becoming more and more known. Things have changed, technically above all, and it is easier for everyone to make films. So I think, as time goes, we all can see more films not only by women, but also by people that couldn't make films before. This is a natural progression... thankfully, of course. Because women are a half of the population in the world and their voice should be heard.

First Red Road, then Fish Tank. Women are always the main characters and there is always a bit of revenge...

I don't actually realize that when I write. When I write I just let my feelings rise and there are not either a reasoning nor an intellectual reason, and I prefer letting the story evolve. I don't know why I do like that and I don't think about it really. Maybe there is a psychological reason, but I don't think about it too much. I'll probably do it again.

The name of your last film is Fish Tank, but why? Why Fish Tank?

Oh... I'm not going to explain that... I don't like explaining my titles, because I think they mean different things to different people. I have lots of people who come up to me afterwards and say - "tell me what does it means". But I don't like doing this. I'm sorry. Fish Tank has lots of meanings; it could be more than an "aquarium". I have my own meaning but I think the audience should find its own meaning, its own interpretation, too.

In this film, music and dance are present all the time. Sometimes, Mia is supposed to think just about music. What do they (music and dance) mean for main characters?

The music is an essential part of the film; it is almost a particular character of the film. All the music has a reason to be there. So, it appears in a very intentional way. It says a lot about characters and how they are. Each of them has a different taste and music talks us about how they feel. Music is an important part of their lives.

Red Road was your first film in 2006. Three years later, what has changed in your professional career, in your life? And, what is your next step?

Since Red Road I think it became easier for me to find finances for films. This is a big change. I am always hopeful to make another film and, at the moment, after Fish Tank, I can make another film, so I'm very happy. Because I think everyone's glad to have an audience.

And about my next project? I have just started to write it. So I don't like talking about it in its early days. It is new and it is young, and it is too evolving in my mind. So it is proper not to talk about it. But... there it comes!


(Published: 18.12.2009.)