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Peer Review: Sandro Rados
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Repped by RSA Films, shots EMEA New Director of the Year Sandro Rados admires creatives from Rick Owens to Céline Sciamma, reflects on artistic freedom, and shares why the greatest filmmakers are those who fully commit to their ideas.
Who are three contemporaries you admire?
I recently saw an interview with Rick Owens (fashion designer) lying on a couch. I saw someone who was completely free, entirely comfortable in his own skin. That was incredibly inspiring. There are people whose eyes have a certain glow or reflect light in a different way—people who have freed themselves from their ego and from themselves. It’s the most inspiring thing there is. People like Rick Rubin, Rick Owens, or, to some extent, Pharrell have discovered this incredible freedom and are carrying it out into the world. But it goes beyond film, music, and fashion.
There are people whose eyes have a certain glow or reflect light in a different way—people who have freed themselves from their ego and from themselves.
I’ve also been listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder recently, since I watched Summer of Soul. I’m deeply inspired by his superhuman musical talent, which could only develop to such an extent due to his visual impairment. Nina Simone’s political work through her songs also amazes me.
Above: Fashion designer Rick Owens.
Please name 3-4 works that exemplify great direction.
Mother, by Bong Joon-ho:
This film motivated me to travel to South Korea and spend five months at a film school there. The blocking and staging, how the camera works with the actors in the space to create various shots in one camera move (from wide shots to two-shot to detail), and how objects are utilised to make the three-dimensionality of the film space palpable (objects are thrown from one end of the frame to the other)— and the way the story ultimately comes full circle was the greatest revelation in cinema and directing that I’ve ever had.
When I stood on set for the first time, everything suddenly made sense. It was the medium—the form through which I could best express myself.
Beyond that, I’m a fan of:
Celine Sciamma for her incredibly dense writing and precise directing, Léa Mysius for her distinctive style, Alice Rohrwacher for her magical realism, Ken Loach for his sharp and critical voice, Andrea Arnold for her freedom, Leos Carax for his absolute craziness, and Spike Lee for his inspirational approach and distinctive voice.
Above: Trailer for Mother by Bong Jooh-ho
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What do you like most about your work?
The opportunity to collaborate with other creatives and be part of a gifted community. Every day, I remind myself of how many privileges must come together to be able to pursue this profession in any form, and I try to honour them through my actions.
Yesterday, I watched David Lynch’s The Elephant Man, and I felt like I was allowed to look into his soul.
What was your path to becoming a director?
I started with an apprenticeship delivering TVs. Alongside that, I always made music and played in a band. I worked on many film projects with and for friends. These experiences, combined with studying at art and film schools shaped me into a director. When I stood on set for the first time, everything suddenly made sense. It was the medium—the form through which I could best express myself.
Above: Official teaser film for Summer of Soul
What is one thing every director needs?
Absolute honesty with oneself. Great affection for oneself. You have to be your own best friend and your own biggest critic at the same time.
Sometimes doing is better than thinking. Curiosity and allowing yourself time to be unproductive and playful are so essential.
Who was the greatest director of all time, and why?
I believe in ideas and works brought into the world through directors. That’s why I would say any director who is brave enough to fully commit to an idea, to serve it, and to be its facilitator, is the greatest director of all time.
Yesterday, I watched David Lynch’s The Elephant Man, and I felt like I was allowed to look into his soul. He completely surrendered himself to the work and let me participate in this very intimate process. It felt less like a film and more like an experience, and I am grateful for the sacrifice he made.
Above: Official trailer for David Lynch's The Elephant Man
Did you have a mentor? Who was it?
My mentors are my mother and my grandparents. They either raised children alone while working two jobs or survived a war, and they always saw the world as full of sunshine. They never let themselves be defeated. They provided me with stability in a world that is sometimes very fast and chaotic.
The only constant is change. What I ask myself is: What can every director do to find stability within themselves and trust in a constantly evolving environment?
What is changing in the industry that all directors must keep up with?
The only constant is change. What I ask myself is: What can every director do to find stability within themselves and trust in a constantly evolving environment? My answer would be: Sometimes doing is better than thinking. Curiosity and allowing yourself time to be unproductive and playful are so essential. Don’t compare yourself and always ask yourself what your environment or the world needs.
