A Minute with Bruno Bozzetto

A brief interview by Jake Friedman. Originally published in the February 2006 issue of aNYmator Magazine

This is just some of the work of the most popular independent animator to come out of Italy, Bruno Bozzetto. He has reached across oceans and cultures with his films, which are, for the most part, free of any dialogue. Simple in design but rich in character, these films epitomize the ideals that we, as a community of indie animators, hold so highly - charm, edge, voice . . . and not necessarily a high budget.

In his "Best Of" compilation video of 1997, Bozzetto explains that he had always been moved by books on animal behavior, environmental issues and nature itself. As a young filmmaker, he began animation when he was about 19 years old, and loved the freedom that a live-action film crew lacked. He concludes his introduction by saying in his native Italian, "you will be able to see how an important story can be told in just a few minutes. The possibility of exploring a serious concept and at the same time making people laugh is something that’s always fascinated me about animation."

Despite (or because of) all the sources out there, there were some questions on my mind about Mr. Bozzetto. Recently, I had the opportunity to quell my curiosity.

JF: Who are your greatest influences?

BB: It was Walt Disney, when I was a child. But when I decided to make animation (at the very beginning), I was very influenced by "Blinkity Blank" of Norman McLaren, by U. P. A. and John Hubley, George Dunning, Richard Williams, Dusan Vukotic (and Zagreb film). Anyway, I was also influenced by Fellini, Kubrick and Jacques Tati.