“There are autobiographical parts”, the director of Il DIvo reveals in an interview talking about his latest work starring Sean Penn and filmed in America.”

Sorrentino Says That This Must Be The Place is a Bit Autobiographical

by Malcom Pagani

How would you define This Must Be The Place?

A dance of contrasts, drama, comedy, and danger combined – everything I’m passionate about.

How difficult was it to convince Sean Penn?

He accepted in three days. The telephone call lasted 8 seconds: “It’s great! I’m in! When can we talk?” He’s one of the rare actors that doesn’t put limits on himself in acting. He contributed a lot of Cheyenne’s movements, voice and tics.

Other examples?

The idea to make him walk with a stoop was his: He has to have the same strut of  guilty rich people.

In the film, until the final redemption, every leap forward is held back, repressed, stifled.

“In spite of my modesty, there are autobiographical signs. Usually I avoid this, but this time I allowed it, ” said Sorrentino. It must be the recklessnes of my 40 years (smiles).

Is it a heavy burden being in charge of a budget that’s so unusual for an Italian production?

Nicola Giuliano, Occhipinti and the others were extrordinarily patient. Besides, not having to reproduce spaceships or war scenes, it wasn’t too hard.

No anxiety?

I’ve just about reached my limit, I can tell you that now. Obviously, accounts will be made.

Luxury sets?

Are you joking? Many sad motels in the middle of nowhere, desolate bars, America that brings up the rear and where there’s nothing to write home about…

…This Must Be The Place is one of my most basic films. It confronts common themes – the love between a father and a son, the absense of rapport, the inability to communicate.

Beneath the ashes and the unsaid of the protagonist simmers a revolution.

Everybody, sooner of later, has to grow. Cheyenne is a child. He became an adult at age 50. To leave old habits behind is imperative.

Is it also a film about vendetta?

The vendetta is pardoned. It represents the thing that is easiest to hurl when you are with consumed with anger, unable to decode the complexity. A film like this would have been mechanical and predictable. You spared me that.