arousing argento

An interview with Dario Argento by David Kenny.

For the sake of authenticity, this article must be read with an Italian accent.

Why do you specialise in the horror genre?

"I don't know why. Maybe it is because of some peculiarity inside me, I don't know. Maybe it was because when I was younger, I used to read Edgar Allen Poe and he impressed me. Freud. I have a lot of corridors in my films, dark tunnels...(nervous smile)...but I don't know why!"

How do you feel about so many of your films being cut or banned in England?

"I don't think many are actually banned, but cut, there are many. I remember one time in England where the censor censored not only the film, but the poster, for my film Tenebrae. It had a girl with a small red blood line on her neck and the censor tried to disguise it as if a papillion (butterfly/bow). It was funny, but obviously for me it was not so funny, they even had to go as far as messing with my posters. Recently in England, things have changed and the censors have become more free, I think.

Until very recently, it was the most repressive country in Europe. Especially in comparison with the likes of Spain and France, who have no censorship. The censor does not ban any films in these countries and it surprises me that people so famous for their freedom, such as the British, continually censor films."

Which film cuts have frustrated you the most?

"I have not just one scene I am furious with, it is every scene they cut that makes me furious. It is a combination of both censor and distributor who will cut films to get certificates. When I sell the films I say to the distributors "Don't cut the film, if you do not like it." (He stares) "Do not buy it, because maybe another distributor will not cut it." Then they buy it and they cut it, because they do not respect my work. Distributors can be ridiculous with some of their changes. Many of my films have even had their names changed. Phenomena was changed to Creepers, (he laughs) Opera, was changed to "Terror at the" Opera (he frowns) and Tenebrae was changed to Unsane in America. This really annoyed me because Tenebrae represent a darkness, there was a reason for me choosing that title, where as Unsane could only have possibly been about the person who came up with such a ridiculous name for a film."

How does England compare with other countries regarding the censoring of films?

"In Italy, the censor was recently abolished, because now we have Europe. Which is the same throughout, but in England not, I don't know why. I have had problems in Italy though. With my film Opera the censor wanted to cut it and I said no. I then started to scream at him and suddenly the police were at my house, arresting me like a criminal. I said "Fine, if I am destined to be a criminal for the film, then I will follow my destiny." They have recently introduced an under 14 certificate, but it is impossible to cut films. It is the same with France, Holland and Portugal, but in England, I do not know why they continue to cut."

Those for censorship argue that directors have a responsibility to society and should not encourage violence. What would your argument against be?

"I think that people, especially young people, are much more influenced by news on television, or by the example of their friends in the playground, or their families. Films are dreams, everybody knows this. It is like censoring a picture or a painting. I think it is absolutely absurd."

See the video of this interview here

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