With the countdown to the winner of this year's Golden Bears practically moments away, jury member Hector Olivera has spent the past week in screengs. "It's nice when the films are good," he says. "When films are not interesting it can get very boring." But, he adds cheerfully, "I love festivals because I like to see films from everywhere that I generally don't get to see."
The Argentinian-born director and producer has been on the receiving end of three Silver Bears so he certainly brings a unique eye to jury deliberations. "It's important for one's career," he notes. "And of course there is the personal satisfaction."
Olivera once worked with Roger Corman, directing five films in English, among them Barbarian Queen. He began his career at the age of 17 as a second assistant director and founded his own production company in 1956 at age 25. He has since produced over 100 features, some Oscar nominated. "In Argentina, the Congress passed a law that gives funding to promote the film industry," he says. "So many more films have been made in the past two years than were made previously."
His advice to young filmmakers, especially in Argentina, where there are 5,000-6,000 film students? "Why don't you study editing or sound design... because there simply isn't that much chance." Owen Levy
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