Venice 2024 (Orizzonti): Wishing on a Star | Interview of Péter Kerekes
We interviewed director Péter Kerekes, whose latest, Wishing on a Star, takes us on a magical journey of self-discovery.
Slovak filmmaker Péter Kerekes, often praised for his intricate and layered storytelling, presented his latest work, Wishing on a Star, in the Orizzonti competition of the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The film centers on Luciana, a charismatic Neapolitan astrologer who possesses an extraordinary gift: the ability to help her clients’ wishes come true. Her method is as unique as it is mysterious—she sends her clients on birthday trips to specific locations where they are “reborn” under a new sky. These journeys, whether to distant cities like Taipei and Beirut or to a neighboring village, become transformative experiences that lead the protagonists to discover their deepest desires.
In discussing the origins of the film in our exclusive interview, Kerekes shared how his inspiration was rooted in a childhood dream. “My father was a film director, so from the age of twelve, I knew I wanted to make films,” he explained. “I dreamt of creating an ‘Italian’ film filled with passionate love, strong emotions, humor, and Vespa motorcycles. However, there was a catch. I am not Italian, I don’t understand the language, and I have a melancholic Hungarian character combined with an ironic sense of humor.” This blend of personal history and cultural contrasts is at the heart of Wishing on a Star, resulting in a film that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Kerekes’ approach to the film is as multi-faceted as the story itself, weaving together four distinct narrative layers. “The first layer revolves around Luciana, an astrologer from Naples, who listens to the wishes of her clients. The second layer delves into their everyday lives, sometimes in complete contradiction to what they revealed to Luciana,” he said. The film then explores the magical situations that occur during these birthday trips, where reality and fantasy intertwine. The final layer, which ties the entire narrative together, focuses on Luciana’s own inner world—her struggles, doubts, and unfulfilled desires. “Even she has wishes of her own,” Kerekes noted, highlighting the universal nature of longing and the quest for fulfillment.
What sets Wishing on a Star apart is its blend of fiction and reality. Kerekes aimed to create a cinematic experience that captures real emotions within a fictional framework. “My goal was to combine the cinematic feel of a fiction film with the ability to capture real emotions from real people,” he explained. This approach allows the film to explore the role of coincidence and serendipity in our lives, emphasizing how unexpected events can lead to profound personal transformations.
As Wishing on a Star makes its debut at the Venice Film Festival, audiences can expect a film that resonates with passion, humor, and the unpredictable nature of human experience. Kerekes’ ability to merge his melancholic and ironic sensibilities with the vibrant, emotional world of Italian cinema results in a film that is as enchanting as it is thought-provoking—a true exploration of the magic that occurs when wishes, destiny, and human nature collide.
Explore our exclusive coverage of the 81st Venice International Film Festival here.
