Award-winning French director Damien Steck has showcased his unique sensibility in his films ‘Parasite Choi’, ‘Dreamalities’ and ‘Run For The Truth’. But becoming a director was never really the plan.
He started as an editor, a role he was good at, but never questioned why. It was one of his best friends Julien who always maintained that Damien would become a director. One day, a director, having seen a personal video Damien had filmed in India, asked him to do the cinematography for his main project. Later, a producer he was working with asked him to direct a film! “This is where I began to think ‘What are these people seeing? What is the different view I bring to a film?,’” said Damien.
At this point, everything changed. So, the first thing he did when he had to direct a film, was unlearn. Everything he had learned in school was hindering his creative process. “My story has been about trying to understand what this thing that was already there was and breaking the limitations that society prescribed to develop a style, a personality, an aesthetic, a sensibility. Then I became a filmmaker,” said Damien.
Here are excerpts from the interview…
Can you tell us about your career path?
I really don’t have a career path. My itinerary is composed by the many stories that have impacted my life and shaped me. Mostly it has been about facing my fears, going on adventures, trying to improve myself. I’m lucky to have never had to seek a job; usually the jobs find me…
For me the most important part is to define if I’m still progressing. I’ve received many awards for my work, but they are not important to me. I always think I could have done better, because of what I learned while making the film. It’s all about self improvement.
Briefly describe your filmmaking style.
I will always try to highlight the beauty of everything I film. But I’m not trying to have a ‘style’. I have done many types of films with different techniques; what connects them is my sensibility. While a style can become obsolete, I continue to evolve.
Can you tell us about your projects in Oman?
I have been to film twice in Oman. The first was for a series of documentaries for Qatar TV, called ‘Al Ghawali’. The main focus was frankincense and I really enjoyed discovering the beautiful country, its traditions, people and places. The second is a series for National Geographic, UNESCO and Misk Art Institute, called ‘Al Safar’ that I’m presently working on with the photographer Yan Bighetty de Flogny. We are following the path of Ibn Battuta, travelling to 30 countries, from Morocco to China, to depict the beauty of Muslim communities around the world.
What are your hopes for the New Year and the future?
It will sound philosophical, but according to me the only way we should talk about the future is: ‘Future is female’. I deeply believe that all the threats humanity is facing, including climate change, are due to the fact that we have built a male oriented society, depriving it from female qualities; this is where the first balance has been broken. We can’t restore balance in nature, if we don’t restore our own human balance.
Up Close and Personal with Damien Steck
The home I grew up in… Lyon in France
When I was a child I wanted to… Run away
The moment that changed me forever… When I almost died in Iceland
My greatest inspiration… Everything
I dream of… I’m actually not sure I’m awake
What I see when I look in the mirror… A mix of my old me and the new me, somehow they get along together
My greatest regret… Not being capable to say important things
You may not know it but I’m no good at… Being part of a group, any group.
You may not know it but I’m very good at… Roller skating
My house is… Like a hotel room (I’m travelling so much!)
My favourite holiday destination… Japan
My favourite weekend spot in Oman The desert
I will not leave my house without… My camera
Things I like about Oman… People, landscape, trees, traditions, outfits
A book that changed me… Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari
On top of my wish/bucket list is… To direct my first feature film
My success mantra is… When I’m filming I always say: “If it’s beautiful, it’s not enough.”
In 10 years’ time, I hope to be… Myself
