An interview with Katia de Vidas - October 2016
Q: Hi, I heard you’re working on a film/documentary with Peter, could you tell us a bit about that? A: Yes, it’s a film that started as a big mess, there was no scenario, no structure to follow… It was made day by day, little by little, like a little tree growing. That made my work difficult when I went to editing… It made me dream about structures and scenario and how life would be easy if, but I wouldn’t change the adventure that it was to do… Now its a film about passion and fear… and other subject but let me finish it.
Q: Who are your biggest influences when it comes to film? A: Influences… There is people I LOVE so probably they influence me… I work with Jan Harlan for the Stanley Kubrick legacy, so obviously he has all my admiration.. Kubrick’s films are a source of wonder and learning. I love Charlie Chaplin, Godard, The French New wave, Cassavetes, Woody Allen, Marx Brothers films, Jacques Audiard… but even a cartoon by Tex Avery or Miyazaki can influence me. Sometimes it can pop up just in one film more than in a career. Denmark and Korea produces great film sometimes… I saw a great French-Turkish film the other day, “Mustang”…
Q: What about your music influences? A: My knowledge of music is not academic. I’m not a researcher. I know what I love when I hear it and that’s it. Music that touches me can come from any genres, classical, rock, rap, African. I don’t have a predilection for any particular style, although I’m that generation that grew up with French rap… Music is very important to me though… I let it flow through me and it can move me in an almost violent way sometimes. Or in a very beautiful way. A good melody strikes me. I have a general melancholia that gets hit by it. Can I just mention David Bowie? Because come on… David Bowie!
Q: How did you meet Peter? A: I met Peter through work. I was employed by Christian Fevret to film certain gigs of Babyshambles.
Q: You’ve had a really interesting career so far, what are some of your favourite moments? A: Nothing compares to the pleasure I had filming with Peter. A feeling sometimes of true adventure. All my work with Jan Harlan has been amazing, so rich in learning. Working with Malcom Mcdowell, Sara Forestier…
Q: What’s a typical day on tour like? A: Waking up on a parking lot, getting excited and/or nervous about the gig coming up, play the gig, being over excited and relieved about the gig being finished. Have a drink with your mates, driving to the next town and somewhere in between falling asleep in the arms of the man i love… And do that again… On paper it’s routine, but it is never straight like that innit… Specially with all those nutters! They are family… I love touring.
Q: What about a typical day off tour? A: Never twice the same.
Q: What do you think about the rest of Peter’s new band? A: You mean those guys that just toured with Peter in South America ? Yeah, they’re alright… but I think they are trying too much to sound like the Libertines… I prefer The Putas Madres, they’re brilliant!
Q: What artist would you like to collaborate with? A: I want Groucho Marx to resuscitate. And I want to work with him everyday. I love him and Charlie Chaplin! And with people alive… I want to work with Jaques Audiard, Xavier Dolan, Xavier Beauvois, Radu Mihaileanu, and I’m sure many more whose name don’t come to me now… and anybody who wants to change things – so probably a bunch of unknown people.
Q: Are there any art forms you’d like to try? A: I want to paint and draw more… It rejuvenates me… Acting… I definitely want to try acting, is that an art form? Being someone else for the day… I wanna play more piano… Time flies, so I should probably get to it soon…
