While the animated film brazilian “Tito and the Birds” is released today in cinemas, we were able to meet with his co-director Gustavo Steinberg on the occasion of the last Annecy Festival. Back on his artistic approach and committed… Damned Distribution AlloCiné : What was the starting point, the motivation of this project ? Gustavo Steinberg, director : We wanted to think about the children and the adults on the “culture of fear” that exists in the world today. The fear has always been there, but the way it happens in our days represents a new phenomenon that deserves attention – and few people talk about it. This tale is thus a metaphor of the real world and current, and in particular of the atmosphere. How have you had the idea of turning the pessimism of the media in contagious disease ? I think that the fact of coming to São Paulo, we made it easier for consider fear as something contagious. I was able to see how fast she was able to spread since I was a child. And I do not think that it is only pessimism. I think the problem with the media is deeper than that : they are very good for the reporting of disasters and crises, which is essential when real crises arise. However, when they encounter drops of hearings and challenges related to the business model, it is tempting for them to turn to these crises more often. And social networks, fed by the users themselves, will intensify this process because disasters and crises – in a word, fear – attract more attention than other subjects. Damned Distribution In the film, Tito and his friends heal the fear, thanks to the birds, in an indirect way. Do you think that the movie (and this film in particular) could act as a remedy in our society ? Good question ! It is like asking if a movie or a book can change the world. Of course yes ! First of all, any movie where a work of art is political, including (and perhaps especially) the big hollywood blockbusters. The films (or art in general) can’t change the world alone, they must be able to find an echo in a social context and become catalysts of change most important. If you have a doubt on the ability of a film to change society, I can give you an extreme example : Teeth of the sea. Nobody goes to bathe in the same way after seeing this film. I think that Tito and the birds addresses the important topics. But before anything else, I like to think that it introduces a more profound understanding of the subjects that he discusses, through the senses and synaesthesia. The animated images and the emotions that punctuate the adventure of Tito are the best “cures” the disease of fear than is rational of the film. (Re)discover the trailer of “Tito and the birds” (in cinemas from today)… Tito and the Birds trailer VF