Q and A with Berwick filmmaker Gabriel Carrubba

Gabriel Carrubba is set to release his debut feature film, Sunflower - set in Berwick - later this year. PHOTO: STEWART CHAMBERS 321294_06

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

When I was a child I had dreams of playing AFL for the Hawthorn Football Club.

What do you love about filmmaking?

For me, filmmaking is human. It’s about telling stories and creating art so we can connect with others. Our experiences are lived and shared. It’s important for all of us to feel seen.

What would your last meal be?

My Nonna’s homemade pasta.

What is your most memorable moment?

As crazy as it sounds, probably the first time I questioned my existence and purpose in the world. I would have been about 10 years old. I was laying on my bed on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I remember holding my hand out in front of me and just looking at it thinking, “Why am I here?”

What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

I wouldn’t say that there is one particular event; however, I would have loved to have witnessed the rising of French New Wave or Italian Neorealist cinema.

Which three guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Xavier Dolan, Sofia Coppola and Barry Jenkins.

What are you currently listening to, watching or reading?

I recently saw a film called ‘Close’ (directed by Lukas Dhont) for the second time since it played at the Melbourne International Film Festival last year. It’s a delicate and intimate story about childhood friendship, loss of innocence and tragedy. The film won the Grand Prix Prize at the Cannes Film Festival last year. It’s easily my favourite film of 2022. It also crept into my top five films of all time.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

Spaghetti puttanesca.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Italy or France would be nice. I’ve always wanted to visit the town my father is from in Sicily.

What were you like as a kid?

I was relatively quiet and observant, always on the outside looking in.

What was your first job? 

My first job was around the age of 15. I’d work at my Uncle’s cheese factory with my brother on the school holidays.

What are the three most used apps on your phone?

Instagram, Reddit and Letterboxd.

What’s one question that you have always wanted answered?

I know this is a question that I’ll probably never have answered, but I often think about our purpose as humans spinning around on this rock. So I guess my question is – What is our purpose on this earth?