This interview was originally published on April 23, 2010, from Winking At A Girl In The Dark.
We are proud to kick off our online Interview Series with Algerian filmmaker, Fethi Bendida, whose first film, “The Green Card,” recently won Best Short Film (Rising Star Award) at the 2010 Canada International Film Festival.
TSI: What is your earliest memory of film and the cinematic experience?
F: My earliest memory of film is of being a nine-year-old kid watching the American western film, “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly” starring Clint Eastwood. From that day on, film got my attention, and I became a big fan of American movies.
TSI: What was it like growing up in your country? What kinds of art and cinema were you exposed to?
F: There was nothing better than growing up in Algeria because it’s my homeland, and it’s a very simple way of life. They also have amazing art and cinema. I never got the chance to work on anything in Algeria, but my dream is to do some projects there in the future, God willing.
TSI: Was the access the same? Did people “go to the movies?”
F: Yes, back in the time of the French colony, and even when I was seven years old or so, I remember going to the movie theatre with my older brother, Amine. However, back in the 90’s civil war broke out in Algeria, and we were facing difficult times then. I seem to remember the government closing down public theatres at that time.
TSI: How did you first come to be involved in film?
F: It took me little while to find myself in terms of what I wanted to do with my life. At first I wanted to become an Arabic interpreter for the hospitals, but things didn’t work out for me in that regard, so I had to change plans. A few months later, upon arriving in the United States, I realized what it was I wanted to do. I was sitting on my couch, watching “Three Kings,” starring Mark Wahlberg, George Clooney, and Ice Cube. Mark Wahlberg inspired me with that performance to become an actor. I was so moved by his character, and by a story that all Arabs can easily relate to.
TSI: Can you talk about your formal training, if any?
F: My first on-camera acting class was at the Boston Actors Workshop, where I began taking classes with Tim O’Conner, who was a really good instructor. Later I started another class with Boston Casting under Michael Fennimore, who was also amazing. In Los Angeles, I am looking forward to studying with Ivana Chubbuck. She is one of the top acting coaches in L.A. and it will be an honor to attend her classes.
TSI: Can you talk about your informal training?
F: I need more training, to more deeply explore my talent, and I have never said to myself, “All set, good to go!” I am hungry to learn and to improve upon whatever skills I have acquired.
TSI: You are both an actor and a director. Can you talk about your passion for both and how they differ?
F: Yes, my first passion is acting, but I have loved the process of becoming a filmmaker as well.
The knowledge that I gain while directing is invaluable to me as an actor. It gives me such a different and more complete perspective.
TSI: What is your approach to acting?
F: As an actor, I frequently call upon my own experiences when developing a character, so in this way, every character is a slice of me, and hopefully that provides a more authentic performance.
TSI: What is your process as a director?
F: When I am directing, I visualize myself as an umbrella covering and sheltering the production from A to Z. There is such a responsibility in filmmaking and I take that very seriously. I enjoy being involved in the entire process, from start to finish.
A director has to be a determined visionary with a lot of patience and individual style. It’s tough work. I love it.
TSI: Who are some of the filmmakers who have served as an inspiration to you?
F: I would have to say my number one inspiration is Vin Diesel, just watching his determination while making Multi-Facial (1994), a short about a struggling actor that wound up screening at Cannes in 1995. He eventually got Steven Spielberg’s attention, who then cast him in Saving Private Ryan (1998) and, just like that, Vin’s career was launched. He inspires me big time and he motivated me to go to film school. That’s how I came to make my first short film, “THE GREEN CARD,” which has already won the award for Best Short Film at the 2010 Canada International Film Festival. The film just got distribution through Indeflix and I am really grateful.
TSI: What are some of the stumbling blocks you have faced as an artist?
F: There are always people out there who try to discourage me from a career in film and filmmaking. There’s just a lot of negativity to combat, but I always do my best to ignore that instead of wasting my time. I just try to be a humble person, and a hard worker, and I focus on being confident with what I do.
TSI: How do you think the work of a visual artist differs from the work of other artists, such as musicians/writers, etc.?
F: A musician has a slight advantage over the film or television actor, to my mind, because if you sing, you can act, to a certain extent. You are always in front of the audience and performing becomes second nature. Stage actors have a similar advantage, I think. I think everyone should begin by performing in front of the audience. I think it goes a long way towards building confidence and fighting off fear.
TSI: Can you talk a bit about what keeps you committed to your art, even when times get tough?
F: I try to be patient and strong, because if you give up when you face difficult circumstances you will trick yourself into thinking you have lost interest. No matter how good you are at what you do, you will always face difficult times and you need to be creative to solve the issues you are facing.
TSI: If you were not an actor and director, what would you be doing?
F: I would own a car dealership. I love cars!
TSI: What advice would you give to a new artist, fresh out of school?
F: My advice to them would be: Don’t ever listen to anyone who tells you can’t make it. I would say you can, but it will require a lot of work, and patience, and confidence, despite the odds.
TSI: What are you working on now?
F: As of now I am working on developing a horror film that’s going to be a very interesting project. I can’t give out too much information. Also, I am working on remaking “The Green Card” as a feature-length motion picture. I’d love to shoot it in Algeria and Boston, God willing.
TSI: What was the inspiration behind “The Green Card”?
F: I always wanted to direct a story based on true events. “The Green Card” for me was an amazing story that I can relate to and that millions of others who have come before me can relate to. The film is really dedicated to them and to their struggles, as well as to those who are coming to this country even as we speak.
TSI: What do you want to tell people with this film?
F: “The Green Card” is my first film, which originated as part of a thesis project through the film program at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University, in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). Having emigrated to the United States with my family as a teenager, I understood on an intimate level some of the challenges and nuanced situations that face individuals coming to the United States from another country. With so many prejudices and stereotypes out there, I wanted to make a film that portrayed immigrants in a positive light. I wanted to demonstrate that there are those who come to this country with the hope of a better life in their hearts and with pure intentions to build a better future in an honest and responsible way. Also, I wanted to show that some individuals want nothing more than to be able to assimilate into a society where they are afforded the opportunities and freedoms that developed countries can provide to those who use legal channels to achieve these goals.
TSI: What are your goals for the near future?
F: My goal is to become a well-known actor, and a good actor, a good storyteller, and a good director.
TSI: Why do you love film?
F: When I’m sad, I watch a comedy and it turns my mood from bad to good in a flash. Film is so much more than entertainment. It’s medicinal and it has the power to teach and to inspire. There’s nothing more powerful than that.
For more information on “The Green Card” and Fethi’s upcoming projects, please visit his website at http://www.fethibendida.com.
To view a trailer of “The Green Card,” or to purchase a copy of the film, please visit http://www.indieflix.com/film/the-green-card-30699/.