Argentine Filmmaker Gaston Solnicki’s ‘The Souffleur’ Follows the Storied Hotel and Its Famous Dish, Both on the Brink of Collapse

As a passionate admirer of Gastón Solnicki’s work, I eagerly anticipate his latest masterpiece, “The Souffleur.” His unique storytelling and knack for weaving surrealism with comedy, as seen in films like Kékszakállú and A Little Love Package, never cease to amaze me.

Argentine movie director Gastón Solnicki is preparing his upcoming project, titled “The Souffleur,” to debut at the Venice Gap-Financing Market that takes place from August 30th to September 1st.

The movie revolves around Lucius Glantz, an American who has spent three decades running the same international hotel in Vienna. One day, he finds out that the historic structure is set for sale and demolition. Determined to save it, he enters into a battle with a boastful Argentine realtor. As their conflict intensifies, the hotel’s signature soufflé unexpectedly fails to rise, prompting Glantz to contemplate the potential demise of everything that matters to him.

Under the skilled direction of Solnicki, from a script he co-authored with Julia Niemann, I have the pleasure of appreciating the captivating film titled “The Souffleur.” This masterpiece is brought to life by the dedicated efforts of Gabriele Kranzelbinder and Eugenio Fernández Abril, who serve as producers for Little Magnet Films, a production company based in Vienna. Notably, Filmy Wiktora, our Argentine production company co-founded by Primo and Solnicki, also plays a significant role in its creation.

The director shared with EbMaster that the concept for the movie originated from an intriguing yet disappointing incident at a restaurant in Buenos Aires. There, they were served a soufflé under quite unfortunate circumstances.

For Solnicki, who had been schooled in cooking during his younger years and was steeped in the rigorous military French culinary tradition, preparing the renowned baked dish felt more like a heartrending betrayal than a simple task. He described the ordeal as not merely adhering to a recipe and achieving success, but rather an expression of deep affection and devotion.

Speaking about influences from surrealism and comedy reminiscent of Luis Buñuel’s works, Solnicki notes that the film explores a concept where a structure on the verge of being destroyed symbolizes a dessert losing its ability to rise. Additionally, he mentions the presence of wind and the mythology surrounding it as a divine breath giving life to the world, adding profound layers of meaning.

Solnicki’s debut feature film, “Kékszakállú,” received its first award at the Venice Film Festival in the Horizons section, followed by screenings in Toronto and New York. This film, which explores the uncertain futures of a group of Argentinian teenage girls, was highly commended by Scott Tobias from EbMaster as an “enchanting experimental narrative” that highlighted Solnicki’s “unique directorial prowess.”

In the recent past, I’ve had the privilege of being part of a captivating film titled “A Little Love Package.” This movie serves as a poetic tribute to Vienna, offering a glimpse into the everyday life of its residents at a time when the city was on the verge of enforcing a city-wide smoking ban. I was thrilled to see it debut in the Encounters strand at the Berlin Film Festival back in 2022.

Over the past few years, due to some unusual events in my life, I’ve been spending an increasing amount of time working in Vienna, a city that has a cultural resonance for me because my ancestors hail from Central and Eastern Europe. Moreover, Vienna holds great importance as it is known as the cradle of modern music.

He mentions that his movies are constructed using authentic sounds, pointing out that his first film was influenced by Bela Bartok’s opera “Bluebeard’s Castle.” He explains how he focuses on taking in the music and unique sound patterns of places, as well as their soundscapes – elements that are typically underutilized or overshadowed in conventional filmmaking. In his work, he discovers a rich tapestry of subtle nuances not only in sounds but also in acting performances, especially when working with non-professional actors. He suggests that often, cinema overlooks or obscures these subtleties with its own noise.

In their upcoming project, “The Souffleur” brings together Solnicki and Portuguese cameraman Rui Poças, a frequent associate of Cannes award-winner Miguel Gomes (“Grand Tour”). Moreover, this production takes advantage of the breathtaking architecture in Vienna as its scenic setting.

“Solnicki remarks that Vienna is a remarkable setting, yet it lacks key figures like an art director, set designer, and production manager. Instead, he prefers to work in a neo-realistic style, utilizing authentic locations.”

“My childhood experiences of secretly filming my family and creating intimate documentaries have left a lasting impact on me. It’s challenging to break free from the artistic conventions I developed during that time.”

2024-08-30 14:17

Argentine Filmmaker Gaston Solnicki’s ‘The Souffleur’ Follows the Storied Hotel and Its Famous Dish, Both on the Brink of Collapse

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