Original article: «Hoy las mejores películas no se muestran»: Silvio Caiozzi compite en Festival Internacional de Cine de Lebu con crítico cortometraje sobre la vejez

Silvio Caiozzi Competes at Lebu International Film Festival with Heartfelt Short Film on Aging

Renowned Chilean filmmaker Silvio Caiozzi returns to the cinematic scene with «The Old Man and the Cuckoo Clock,» a compelling short fiction film selected for the Lebu International Film Festival (May 22-29), a competition that qualifies for the Oscars and Goya Awards.

The 17-minute film, produced by Edgardo Viereck, explores themes of solitude, isolation, and imagination in old age through the story of an elderly man who lives confined «for his protection,» accompanied only by his grandson, the grandson’s partner, and an ancient cuckoo clock that transforms his reality.

«It is a very beautiful and emotional short film that delves deeply into the inner feelings of an elderly person, addressing the issue of feeling closed in. Not just due to physical limitations, but also because society, represented by two young people, isolates him to protect him,» explains Caiozzi.

According to the director, the film aims to delve into the mind of an elderly person facing confinement and demonstrate how imagination can become a form of freedom.

«This elderly man turns to his imagination to escape that confinement. Suddenly, his entire surroundings beautifully change, allowing him to enjoy his remaining years happily,» adds the acclaimed filmmaker.

Ramón Núñez, a National Arts Award winner, is the film’s central star, whose performance left a profound impact on the director.

«When the camera zooms in, you can clearly understand what he’s thinking, even without any gestures. What resides within him becomes very clear,» says Silvio Caiozzi.

In this regard, one of the aspects the director highlights is the film’s ability to convey emotions without relying on dialogue: «There isn’t a single word spoken throughout the short film. Yet so much happens. Achieving the transmission of what occurs within the character’s mind using only images, sounds, and music is one of the most fulfilling aspects for me,» he asserts.

Origin: The Pandemic

The idea for the short film emerged during the pandemic, a period during which the director began reflecting on the experience of isolation among older adults.

«I started to imagine what someone older than me would feel, confined during the pandemic. Everything stems from a very internal sensation,» he recounts.

In conjunction with showcasing his work in Lebu, Caiozzi also criticizes the current state of the film industry and the dominance of streaming platforms: «Today, the best films are not being shown. Platforms decide what is displayed and what isn’t. Many great directors are making short films because there is still creative freedom there,» he asserts.

For the director, many filmmakers are currently compelled to develop projects shaped by trends or commercial interests: «I’m not interested in making films because someone tells me what topic is trendy. I want to express what I feel,» he adds.

Regarding his participation in the Lebu Festival, Silvio Caiozzi emphasized the role the event plays in internationalizing Chilean cinema: «It is the only Chilean festival that can present films at the Oscars and Goya Awards. That deserves applause because cinema needs to reach a wider audience and connect with as many people as possible.»

Ultimately, while he acknowledges that receiving awards and recognition is always positive, the director insists that it has never been his main motivation.

«I have no expectation of winning. What’s important to me is that the audience can see something that I felt, something that emotionally resonated with me,» he concludes.

The Citizen