Renowned director Abel Ferrara recently sat down with Deadline to provide insight into his current projects – two captivating documentaries. One delves into the life of the iconic singer-songwriter-poet Patti Smith, while the other focuses on the harrowing war in Ukraine. Ferrara’s unique perspective sheds light on the contrasting themes of these films.
Discussing the documentary on Patti Smith, Ferrara expressed his admiration for the artist and their friendship. He praised her recent captivating performances and revealed that she would be contributing original poetry to the upcoming film. As Ferrara continues to shoot and edit the documentary, his admiration for Smith grows exponentially, leaving him in awe of her talent and presence.
In stark contrast, Ferrara’s documentary on the war in Ukraine presents a completely different subject matter. Reflecting on his experiences in the war-torn country, he described the horrors he witnessed. The director emphasized the diametric opposition between Smith’s artistry, which represents life, and the brutality of war, where people kill and defend their loved ones and homes. This stark contrast serves as a powerful foundation for the documentary’s exploration of the human condition in the face of conflict.
Having lived in Rome for over two decades, Ferrara has found solace and creative freedom in Europe. As he participated in a retrospective of his films at Taormina, he expressed his preference for working in Europe over the United States. Ferrara candidly shared his frustration with the limitations and challenges he faced in the American film industry. In his view, a director should have the final say in their work, contributing to the communal effort of filmmaking. However, he believes that in the United States, this creative control is often compromised, leading to a constant battle for his director’s cut. In contrast, he finds European filmmaking to be more conducive to his creative vision, as there are legal protections in place to safeguard a director’s artistic integrity.
As Abel Ferrara continues to delve into the captivating worlds of Patti Smith and the war in Ukraine, his documentaries promise to offer profound insights into these contrasting themes. Through his unique perspective and storytelling prowess, Ferrara aims to captivate audiences and shed light on the resilience, creativity, and brutality that coexist in our world.