Isabella Rossellini is working on a new series of animal-related short films, the star and filmmaker told the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival on Thursday.
First, there was Green Porno, her series of shorts that launched in 2008 on the Sundance Channel and explored some of the more bizarre mating behaviors in nature. She followed that up with Seduce Me in 2010, which expanded on that theme. Then came Mammas in 2013, which shone a spotlight on animal motherhood. Now, Rossellini is diving into a different animal-centric topic: pets.
“It’s about the history of pets, domestic animals called The Survival of the Friendliest,” Rossellini said, according to a simultaneous interpretation of her Italian comments provided by the festival. “I play all the roles,” she shared.
Rossellini recalled how Robert Redford “loved silent and short films because back then there were a lot of shorts” and felt that for the new Apple iPhone’s small screens, shorts would make sense. So he encouraged her to make Green Porno for the Sundance Channel. The icon concluded that “I owe” Redford for the opportunity to become a director.
Discussing her well-known fascination with animals further, she shared: “I have always loved animals.” Because at the time, there was no animal-related degree to study for, she said she decided to go after her other big passion, namely fashion.
