In the process you turn out to be an actress, how does that happen?
SC: I do not know. The male character was inspired by a friend of mine from Brussels, he is the Great Gatsby, and he moves in a very elegant manner and had to be the actor of the film. He had no experience whatsoever, but I realized he had to give life to that character. Me and the director, we thought it made sense. As in Brussels there are not many Anglophones actors, we were in a dilemma and the director thought it made sense that I was part of the film.
Well, you know her better than anyone.
SC: Yes and I was very involved and was a very natural process. It was not a choice, it happened. It was a very organic process. Only the boy plays the husband, it has to be and I do as the wife. Do not know if been the wife was a valid option, I was very involved with the film.
You were involved in all processes of this film. Produced, wrote and acted, what do you like best?
SC: I like to write. I enjoy developing the characters. I also like the part of production. In a way is to create. It must isn’t be an administrative burden, is very creative, transforming a screenplay into something tangible. Pages and makes them into a movie. I think it's very creative, I do not see as a boring activity. It's good to bring people together for a certain project. In fact, I prefer to write, although it is a very solitary activity and production involves teamwork. There are two distinct areas.
And as an actress?
SC: I really like it. But, is not at all a goal of mine is not a necessity. I really need to write instead of acting.
You mentioned that you intend to do the second and third part of this project.
SC: First I have to find a new director. Try looking for partnerships. A producer and funding, these are the first steps.
When you write a script you think in Portuguese, or another language?
SC: I usually write in English. What is a problem in Portugal.
Why?
SC: Well I should be directed to the Portuguese language and I'm not. In terms of dialogue I write in English.
But you have something written?
SC: I've been writing. But nothing that fits the Portuguese universe, because they are mainly Anglo-Saxon texts. With six years old I went to Holland and attended an American school, where I learned to read and write English. My friends came from other cultures. I did not know what was to have a Portuguese friend. Being Portuguese. At home there were no many references in cultural terms; there was no music, no Portuguese food.
So how do you speak Portuguese so well?
SC: We have returned to Portugal. I lived in Lisbon for ten years and then went to the U.S. to study.
Do you feel Portuguese?
SC: For a long time I had identity problems. People always wondered, but where you are from? I said I came from Portugal. Yes, but where were you born? Lisbon. So your mother is from where? Lisbon. Then you must be from the north with that accent. (Laughs) I think it has to do with the fact that two parents are Portuguese, creates confusion in people. If the mother or the father were of another nationality it would made more sense. But the problem is to have two Portuguese parents and this girl does not speak Portuguese well? Does not understand slang? And I do not understand it, even today there are things that they say that are incomprehensible to me.
In what context you created the little film academy?
SC: It was also in Brussels. I started giving training in acting and writing. Then I created a movie formation with Bernard Camisão. I love working with children. It was an intensive week we had four groups from five years to 14 years old at the end of the week they went away and I felt it was not enough. It was cute, made the film and they liked it. It was fun, but could not be just so. The work they did was very good; it could be done with more time and developed it. I think it's very positive for children.
Here you had many children?
SC: Yes, but it had to do with the organization. I've been trying to implement the same idea in Lisbon and we'll see how it goes. I'm used to work with in a more dynamic way in Brussels, which is to picks up the phone, ask to use the space and asks if we will collaborate and create a partnership? Things work in a more expeditious way.
Bump up with the Portuguese bureaucracy?
SC: Yes, in Lisbon we have to talk to the supervisor, to arrange a meeting, it discourages you a lot. I do not feel safe to take a bolder attitude to the point of renting a space; I have to take it easy and let things happen. It was not the case with FIFF'11, the reception was fantastic. It was really productive.
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