Linda Rosenfeld, a visionary filmmaker whose work spans across continents and cultures, has captivated audiences worldwide with her poignant storytelling and innovative approach to cinema. From her debut film “Dubliner” to her latest projects, Rosenfeld’s films are a testament to her dedication to freedom, creativity, and the human spirit. Join us as we delve into the mind of this extraordinary filmmaker, exploring her inspirations, challenges, and future endeavors.

Your films have a unique blend of global influences and personal storytelling. Can you tell us more about your creative process and how you integrate such diverse elements into your work?

An inspiration can appear at any moment. And I cherish that. I am fortunate that my life is so colorful, so intense, so exciting. I am often overwhelmed with impressions and brave enough to start something new. I cherish mutual inspiration.  when I feel you come closer to the Divine. 

I would like to say a few words about Bastien Clément, the very first cameraman I was working with on my first film “Dubliner”. Most of his shots were better than I could have imagined, and he just said in response: “Oh, you explain well!”.

I was proud of working with such a talented young man, generous and modest… I felt a sparkle when we watched that first footage, and later on I used almost every of Bastien’s shots while doing the edit..  I had mentioned a few scenes/ films/directors that’d inspired me, and he grasped It all in breathtaking shots.

Chapeau! Bastien! Je suis fière de toi!

“Dubliner,” your debut film, received critical acclaim and numerous awards. What was the inspiration behind this project, and what challenges did you face while making your first film?
My first film Is a tribute to my friend Stephen Keenan…in the form of a dream…
”Dubliner” contains a few dreams about Steve, and the rest is a documentary filmed in 4 countries: Ireland; Egypt; Italy and Vietnam. I had not made films before, and this first attempt was driven by necessity to transform the pain and  to leave a record of a remarkable person. A hero who lived his life without fear, and died saving another’s life. 

I was missing Steve so much, I had to do something about it… I had invited cameramen to join the project and the filming started  a few days after… 

Stephen Keenan was a world renowned freediver and a great friend to many. People were happy to contribute to his memory. The editing became the biggest challenge. It took months to complete  in a smooth way. Although I must say I greatly enjoyed the process. My previous experience in advertising certainly helped me in filming and postproduction of  the “Dubliner” and I felt the inspiration from the talented people I was working with: camera, musicians, editors… 

I thought the story of Stephen Keenan is one the world would be eager to hear. And I knew somehow the “Dubliner” would be appreciated at the film festivals.

I felt responsible to start and complete It. And I did.

Your film “Kampot la ville libre” is described as a musical postcard of freedom to the world. What drew you to Kampot, Cambodia, and how did you manage to create such a globally collaborative project during the challenging times of 2020?

In March 2020 I had taken a flight to Phnom penh escaping coronavirus lockdown in the major part of the world. It turned out to be the last flight that arrived in Cambodia for a long period of time…The day after the country was closed for arrivals.

I went to Kampot where people continued living their lives with no lockdown, no restrictions, no masks… There was no corona! Great parties and a great vibe in 2020.. It was unique for us expats in Kampot and felt doubly so as most of the world was so restricted. We experienced an ultimate freedom. And this moment was worth capturing indeed.

The name “Kampot la ville libre”/ “Kampot free town” was inspired by Roberto Rossellini, “Roma città aperta”/”Rome open city” made in 1945, shortly after the Second World War. Since then there had been no moment like this, so turbulent for the entire world. 

Someone in Kampot saw the “Dubliner” and was impressed enough to become a co-producer of the new film. Let me thank Gustavo Leone for this! As well as other co- producers too… We felt lucky and selected! A musical postcard sent to  the world with an encouraging message: STAY FREE!  

Inspired by the film idea, 8 cameramen filmed “Kampot la ville libre” within spring-autumn of 2020.

Andres Godoy (Colombia) Mathieu Fouchet (France) Zhan Young (China)       Marius Uminski (Germany) Can Sözen (Turkey) Ayumi Tamura (Japan) Gilles Chevalier (France) Adeline Catin Mikhail Belyaev (Russia)

I felt grateful for this multinational united effort and managed to complete the project by the spring 2021. The film premiere was a great success, hosted @Kenny’s Korner Kampot. Two screenings at the packed venue, followed by a wicked party. I remember someone told me on that day: “We are all proud to be a part of It. Everyone who watched it felt proud.” Let me thank wAgAwAgA, a.k.a Sam Osborn (UK) for his genuine effort on editing, and his music, as well as Erentug Turan (Turkey), Pedro Twins (UK), and Roberto Salgado (Spain)… and many others.  

The silent short film “The Giant Turnip” showcases a folk tale with a powerful message. How did the multicultural collaboration shape the final product, and what significance does the folk tale hold for you?

Oh, this folktale has been one of my favorites since my early age!

I went to Dahab, Egypt to screen the “Dubliner” for Stephen Keenan’s family and friends in the autumn of 2019. My Ukranian friends have been asking me if we could make a short film together… Once on a desert trip I thought of “The Giant Turnip”, I thought it would be quite easy to implement on my fav spot in the Dahab lagoon, the Magic lake… Daniel Isichenko (Russia), a cameraman who filmed the major part of the “Dubliner”with me, fancied the new film idea. All the actors were my friends. The filming went great! Few more scenes have been taken by another cameraman, from Ukraine, Victor Rura. I am happy to make this positive and touching film with a strong message “Together we can!” just before corona and the war… The editing was done in Cambodia in 2020, by Turkish and French editors who loved the story of the turnip.

“When you are near,” a short film that is part of a larger project, faced interruptions due to unforeseen events. Can you share more about this project and how these interruptions influenced the film’s narrative and your approach as a filmmaker?

“When You Are Near” is an actual part of a full length project “Mekong Express Arrives at 01:08” featuring the adventures of an English guy in Cambodia. He arrives in Phnom Penh after having a significant dream, and a journey begins…a spiritual quest; a love story and more! The script was written by myself and Alan Dean (UK). Amazing cast! Joe Murray, Ashley Acquaviva, Giulia Tonelli… Oh how much I cried on the day when the filming was interrupted… a film is like your baby, it’s hard to drop it, or leave it unattended.

Nevertheless I am happy we edited what was filmed (about 25% of the story) and it resulted in “When you are near”… It’s a draft or esquise, successfully done by non-professional actors, almost with no rehearsals… Great work on camera by Mathieu Fouchet… After my  first 2 docu-fiction films (almost documentaries) and a silent film, this was my first attempt to make a fiction. It is brilliant! So exciting!

Nature and current events often inspire your work. Can you elaborate on how these elements influence your storytelling and the messages you aim to convey through your films?
I feel in tune with the world. I am inspired by nature, by events and circumstances, by heroes! My films are my response to what Is happening to me, to the world… I love life and love watching how It unfolds. There’s always an adventure awaiting you around the corner! I have been seeing my life as a film for some time ..maybe this is why I am making films)… I think my inspiration could be seen through…

Your journey from self-financing your first film to seeking co-producers for future projects shows remarkable growth. How has your approach to filmmaking evolved over the years, and what advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers about financing their projects?

Oh, I think it’s slightly exaggerated about a remarkable growth, but thank you, you are very kind…I have plenty of ideas, yeah and would make films non stop if I had a sufficient financial flow. 

I appreciate the support of everyone who has believed in me and my projects. It is not easy… At the moment I am inviting co-producers to make more films together. To convey a message to the world at difficult times: People need to get stronger in many ways, stronger and freer. They need to polish their rebellious spirit. And they need an example. Keep visualizing your success as a filmmaker, and one day I believe it will manifest.

You recently attended the Biennale di Venezia with an industry professional accreditation. How has this experience opened new opportunities for you, and what impact do you foresee it having on your future projects?

It has been a great honor to receive an Industry professionals accreditation at the 80th Biennale di Venezia in 2023. It felt like spring to me, Venice. I am planning to return to attend the 81st Biennale this year. Lot’s of opportunities in the air! I have to find the finances for the film on Davide Lazzaretti.

And I have an objective to present my new film “Il campo della Gloria”at the Biennale di Venezia in 2027.

One of your upcoming projects, “The rise of Zarathustra,” draws inspiration from Nietzsche’s book. What can audiences expect from this film, and how do you plan to convey Nietzsche’s philosophy in a cinematic form?

I have thoroughly selected mostly positive messages/ ideas/advice from the novel “Thus spoke Zarathustra”…  for a viewer on how to become a Betterself…                                

We only speak about The Rise of Zarathustra.. This is why we are aiming to neglect the decline of the protagonist that Nietzsche was regretting about, and would only speak about “The Rise of Zarathustra” in the 30 min film.

My idea was to invite my German friend Stevo Kaske to read selected passages of the book in German… Stevo has recorded another audio book by Nietzsche “Antichrist”in the past. And It is brilliant! 

The book of Nietzsche Is a great source of inspiration. The film would be a kind of manual on. How to be a hero for yourself…
Zarathustra (by charismatic and convincing actor) would be filmed in the pure lands, at the waterfalls, rice fields, Bokor Mountain (Cambodia), talking to the sun…illustrating the voiceover in German (w English subtitles)

Creating an image of a super human at its best.

“Il Campo della Gloria” is a tribute to Davide Lazzaretti and aims to introduce a spiritual protagonist to the world. What motivated you to take on this project, and what message do you hope to impart through this docu-fiction film?

Davide Lazzaretti represents faith, commitment, strength and courage. His actions are spiritually driven.These qualities of a protagonist are lacking I believe in modern cinema… plus in 2028 Is going to be 150 years since his heroic death..

The figure of Davide is rather more global,  than Tuscanian or Italian. He is a Rebel as well as a prophet. The script is ready and based on the Davide Lazzaretti documented visions. The format of the film is  docu-fiction. Full-length. The soundtrack of “Il Campo della Gloria” is brilliant! Locations and the cast too. Somehow I am on the mission to fulfill this idea on the veil of the 150th anniversary of his tragic end. Davide was leading a peaceful demonstration from Monte Labbro to the town of Arcidosso when shot by carabinieri and he died on the same day: 18th August 1878. He was a leader of a community aiming to bring christianity back to its innocent roots. Davide Lazzaretti and his followers lived and prayed at Monte Labbro.

I first went to Monte Labbro  after a retreat @ Merigar West, a buddhist center located in the same valley. Monte Labbro is a montagna sacra)/Sacred Mountain in this perspective…

Lot’s of love to all! Thank you FilmmakerLife for your support and genuine appreciation. Wishing you a beautiful summer ahead where your dreams would come true.

Conclusion:

Linda Rosenfeld continues to push the boundaries of cinema with her bold vision and unwavering commitment to storytelling. Her films not only entertain but also inspire and provoke thought, urging viewers to be stronger and freer. As she embarks on new projects and collaborations, we eagerly anticipate the profound impact her work will undoubtedly have on the world of film. Thank you, Linda, for sharing your journey with us and for your relentless pursuit of artistic excellence.