Harvey Keitel: «The Pulp Fiction sequel? I would do anything with Tarantino.”

When his name is pronounced during the awards ceremony of VII Sardinia Filming Italy the standing ovation starts. It is inevitable. Harvey Keitel, one of the most beloved American actors of the last 50 years, takes the stage set up in the heart of Forte Village. The thought goes to Hyenas, pulp Fictionto Piano lessonsto Youth by Paolo Sorrentino, Taxi Driver, just to name a few titles. There is also one of the guests to applaud Abel Ferrarathe director who shot another cult film with Keitel: The bad lieutenant.

With journalists, the 85-year-old actor gets emotional when they mention Paul Austerscreenwriter of Smoke And Blue in the Facetalks about the first meeting with Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese, and the difference between Italian and American directors. «I grew up in Brooklyn and I know Italians well», he explains, «they always say what you have to do. They are more direct than Americans.” Keitel worked with Sorrentino, but also with Ettore Scola, Damiano Damiani, Roberto Faenza and Lina Wertmüller. It is in the post-production phase Milarepathe new film by Louis Nero. «It is a beautiful story that questions Buddhism, the meaning of life and the demons of our mind, which we must learn to control», he says.

Impossible not to question him about Pulp Fiction, which turns 30 this year. Would he make a sequel? They ask him. «I would do anything with Quentin, he’s my boyfriend», then tells of their first meeting. «You knocked on my door, you mispronounced my name, but I let you in anyway», she smiles under her white beard and silver hair. «That meeting was one of the most important of my life. When I read the script of pulp Fiction I immediately thought of Piano lessons by Jane Campion: everything was already ready on the page. It was like watching a nature show. Something special happened».

With Scorsese, however, it went like this. «Martin was studying cinema when we met, while I was selling shoes. An immediate understanding was born and we became friends. He was auditioning for his first film Who’s knocking on my door. From 50 there were three of us left for the role. I decided to go to the school where they held auditions at night. I saw that there were some lights on. I entered an empty classroom, with only a desk and a lamp. He saw me and said: “Sit down!”. “Who are you? I replied. He continued to insist: “Sit down!”. The conversation escalated in tone: we told ourselves to go to hell. Then a voice off screen tells me: “Harvey is an improvisation”. I look at Martin I dare: “You should notify an actor when you decide to improvise.” The part went to the actor of Mr. White.

At 85, Keitel isn’t stopping, despite an enviable career. He still has many projects in the works. «I’m still trying to learn about myself», he states, «I still have a lot to learn. By being an actor you learn to grow together with the characters».