MovieChat Forums > The Empty Building (2004) Discussion > Giovanni Sanseviero

Giovanni Sanseviero

posted 18 years ago by juliemoria
4 replies | jump to latest

Ever consider removing even more from the short?
The three card monty and the line of people waiting to get inside is not an important element.
The crux(in my opinion), should pertain only to Benny. That is all we need to make this a memorable and most excellent film. I fully understand how hard it would be to cut emotionally packed and superbly acted fillers but they are not important. Infact, from my perspective, all I cared about was Benny and his demons. The mystique and magic of the building distracted and pulled me out of the major thrust..infact, I felt it diluted Benny's occurence.

I do understand how the line of people can open up a plethera of tales and future stories. Still, that is not what I cared about while watching this segment.

Excellent job I say.

[–] j_ritter07 18 years ago

Can anyone reply to your suggestions? I do see you're asking the director, so, not to be rude, I'd like to say this: if you remove everything about the building, then it becomes a specific story about Benny's specific subject matter. I think... and again, I think what the director was shooting for was to make the "building" the main character.
It would also work your way. In fact, Benny's story probably would be more intense the way you're suggesting (hard to figure, though) but only regarding his matter. It would be a completely different film, I'm thinking, even starting with the title.
But, with the building being the main observer, maybe? it created this weird world that the people on line needed to enter. I think this was the bigger point then just explaining about Benny’s ordeal: the director's way includes showing the process of beginning the process...which is getting on that long line and discovering the stamina to finally walk in.
So yes, like you're saying, it does defuse Benny’s story, but by default, so I guess you’re right, too.
Either way, it is a spectacular film and I absolutely enjoyed it. I was left with reflecting my own life and that was cool.
Hope you didn't mind. Take care.

[–] Pappaderla 18 years ago

it would be a different story all together. The building is where it all takes place. Like Fantasy Island but on dramatic steroids. I saw the version that had no woman's story, but still had a lot of the building things. It was nice to have a weird setting like that. Plus, it makes the film more about everybody especially when at the end of the film. Lots of stories about lots of people.

[–] free-wheeling 18 years ago

Naaaaaaaaa! The building was one of the best things about the film! A busted up building that looks like it belongs in a city and there it is sitting in the middle of a snowy forest? Right away you're thinking hmmm... something's different here. Made the stories stronger because they take place somewhere we can't say really exists, like bad memories.

And the line of people? It makes a statement and with all the *beep* these days that's going on, Dead-on balls with the statement!!

[–] sbret2007 18 years ago

Dead-on balls with the statement!! I LIKE THAT!!

A great great statement about how people struggle on with their lives. The people at the end was the best shot in the movie. How telling, right? Camera wise, really nice and what it said was dead on with even today's crap with that Foley jerk.