The important thing was not to show action as an end in itself. Every action scene should also have a political undertone, says director Fredric Farrucci to TT.
The main character in the film is Joseph, a goat farmer who is jokingly called "the last Mohican". A local gangster organization wants to force him to sell his land, they want to exploit it for the benefit of tourism. A confrontation leads to violence and suddenly Joseph is being hunted by both the police and gangsters, while the locals try to protect him.
I had made a documentary film about a real goat farmer. The experience made me want to make a feature film. There is an incredibly tense atmosphere on Corsica, many want to exploit everything to attract tourists. This destroys the diversity on the island, and it bothers me, says Farrucci.
Lively discussions
According to Farrucci, there are a number of different gangster organizations on the island, which make money by exploiting the island for tourism.
They are becoming more and more powerful. And the authorities are doing far too little. Corsica is a French region and the island is too far away for them to take care of it.
"The Mohican" was filmed on location on Corsica. Did the island's real gangsters have any comments?
No. I do not think they care. But after the film had its premiere on the island, there have been lively discussions about what it is about. Can it lead to any change? I do not know. But just the fact that it is being discussed is something positive.
The myth takes over
During filming, Farrucci had the help of the goat farmer he had made a documentary film about, and it was needed, he says.
Some scenes were really complicated. Goats cannot be directed, they do what they want.
Farrucci uses the Corsican landscape in his film, and it is no surprise that he mentions John Ford as one of his role models. Especially his "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", with the film's theme of how the truth often has to give way to myth.
This is something that really interests me. In the American western film, the myth has often made people forget that the country is built on a genocide.
Gunnar Rehlin/TT
Fact: Frederic Farrucci
TT
Age: 49 years
Lives: Paris
Occupation: Director
Previous films: Began his career with the short film "L'offre et la demande" and has made a few documentaries, including one about Claude Monet. In 2019, he made the feature film "La nuit venue".
Current with: "The Mohican"
