Enikö Tünde Morocz – emergent film director

“A good film has to be about the viewers and needs to talk about their lives”

“I don't like action movies. I think they're for guys.”

“Becoming a director takes a lot of work and effort and you don't always find the money to put up all your projects.”

Late vocations are sometimes more of a daring question than a matter of talent. Eniko Tunde Morocz's (Cluj-Napoca, 1981) is not a common example and in her case we talk about both bravery and talent. This young woman started working as a teacher at the age of 21 and after seven years decided that classes weren't enough for her. Being the active type of person she describes herself, up until know she also worked on TV, where she acquired the knowledge that may help her now in her studies at Sapientia University. There she started her journey to becoming a film director. By the way, Tunde is not exactly a “newcomer”, and has already directed three films. She, along with other colleagues are thought to be the future of the seventh art here in Transylvania, and probably even in Romania. Sharing a few words with her is enough to make anyone see how really passionate she is about what she does.

-It seems that life can change so much in just a few years.

-Yes, this was my case. I got tired of my job, as it was quite stressful, especially when I had to prepare the students for their exams. But the main point is that it wasn't the thing I wanted to do at that moment. I started teaching at 21. I graduated high school and started teaching primary school at first, and then worked in the high school.

-How would you like your career to be like in the next years?

-I decided to be a director after a long period of research. About five years ago. I knew I needed something else than what I was doing. Since then, I'm very happy with my decision. Now I know I would like to become a good short film director for the beginning. Then I'll see.

-I see you can't stop. Are you currently working on something new?

-I have some projects of my own for talented pupils and I really like this stuff, organizing all kinds of art courses, music, dancing or painting for example. My first projects consisted in two films. One of them is about one of the directors I admire the most, Chaplin -“Remake” - and the other is called “Dolls”. It's about a porcelain doll that comes to life. For this one we worked with a lot of children and we mixed music and dancing with the film, it's just the kind of thing I like to do, blending together  many disciplines, many arts.

-And do you choose mainly children, or also adults as actors in your creations?

-Not only children. I find it very interesting to work with them, but I’ve also worked with adult actors. Some colleagues usually appear in my films and some of them actually played very interesting characters.

-You talk about almost every art. What about theater?

-Well, I didn't try theater yet, but I have great respect for those artists. I want every creation to be harmonious by blending in with music in a kind of retro style. I usually try to accomplish this in my films.

-What kind of music do you use in your works?

-I love jazz, mostly. But I also try many other types.

-It must be difficult to find one's path to success in arts. I mean, to “become someone”.

-I think it's possible to be a film director nowadays. It takes a lot of work and effort and you don't always find the money to put up all your projects. It's not easy but I think it is possible. It's very tumultuous lifestyle, but quite an interesting one.

-Maybe it's easier to do it in a city bursting with culture.

-Yes. For example, two weeks ago we made a project about Cluj. We travelled by car around the city, but we did the filming just through the rear-view mirrors. Everything was pictured as a glass reflection. We shot a pretty cool scene with the Matei Corvin statue, for example.

-You’re certainly mixing it all... Do you also act?

-Yes, I've also acted in my films. I appear and do some “cameos”, like those famous film directors that often appear in their films (she laughs).

-Maybe you'll also become famous some day.

It’s a dream. Here, in Europe, it’s different. Even if someone is good, never becomes such a famous person. Not like in Hollywood, not like the big blockbusters’ film directors. Here movies are more a kind of artistic matter. There are also possibilities, but in a different way. You really have to be good, and try your best.

-Any models you look up to?

-My first model was Chaplin. I was quite absorbed by his art. He is simply genius. But in fact I really like many others. For example, Hitchcock, Christopher Nolan or Tim Burton. Nolan made some very good horror films. Something deep and interesting. He plays with ambiguous characters and always surprises you. I don't have just one model and I try to create my own style. Anyway, we also have a lot of talented professionals here, in Transylvania. I have some famous and talented teachers like Felmero Cecilia. She is also a very honest and kind person.

-Is it possible to become a talented professional just by working hard?

-You have to work hard, but you must also have talent. I think most people are talented in many areas, they just have to search what these are and develop them. We always have to explore.

-Is it easier to find talent in men or women?

-Actually there are just a few women studying in my university. Some domains are really more appropriate for guys. We are 25 students, but only seven or eight girls. The technical skills sometimes seem to be easier to master for men. Maybe it shouldn't be, but only few women want to become a cameraman.

-Do you have any future plans?

I have a future project about luxury in Cluj and the financial crisis in the city. I would like to show the contrasts between the two kinds of people living here, the poor and the richest. Part of the scenes take place in a quite famous hotel in the center. Some people here have a lot of money and others live just for the day.

-Which is your favorite genre?

-I like drama, comedy, musical... But I don't like action movies. I think they're for guys.

-What makes a film good?

-Well, it’s just my opinion, but I think it has to be about life. It must tell a story, but something that can become interesting to the spectator. It must be about the viewers and it has to talk about their lives.

Foto: www.film.sapientia.ro