Dito Montiel, the creative force behind “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” delves into his deeply personal work, offering insights into the journey of transforming his memoir into a compelling cinematic experience. In this exclusive interview, Montiel unpacks the intricate layers of his film, from its autobiographical roots to the liberties taken in its adaptation, providing a guide for audiences seeking to understand the emotional core of his storytelling.
From Memoir to Movie: The Evolution of “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”
Montiel openly acknowledges the expansive creative license he embraced when translating his life experiences to the screen. Dismissing any notion of strict biographical adherence, he clarifies, “This was no James Frey book!” Instead, “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” emerges as a rich tapestry woven from countless narratives, both real and imagined. The character of Mike O’Shea, for instance, is a fascinating composite, drawing inspiration from Antonio’s younger brother and a real-life individual named Mike O’Shea from Ireland, now residing in England. This blending of reality and fiction underscores Montiel’s focus on emotional truth over factual accuracy. For him, the essence of the story lies in the genuine emotions of the characters, making the film a powerful exploration of universal human experiences rather than a literal recounting of his past.
Capturing Feeling, Not Just Facts: The Heart of Autobiographical Filmmaking
When questioned about the differences between writing a memoir and filming its cinematic counterpart, Montiel emphasizes his disinterest in creating a straightforward biographical picture. Inspired by films like “THE AVIATOR,” he recognizes the allure of extraordinary lives, yet his ambition for “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” was different. He aimed to encapsulate the visceral feeling of his book, a collection of around sixty distinct stories, within the focused narrative of a film. Montiel explains, “I wanted to zero in on a moment in the book and touch the feeling of that moment rather than telling an autobiographical story.” This approach highlights his artistic choice to prioritize emotional resonance, selecting specific moments from his memoir to evoke a deeper, more impactful cinematic experience for the audience.
Avoiding Judgment: Presenting Reality with Honesty and Warmth
A crucial aspect of Montiel’s filmmaking philosophy for “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” was to abstain from judgment or vilification. He states, “I wanted to just lay it out there as it is.” Rejecting a romanticized or idealized perspective, Montiel aimed for authenticity, striving to capture the raw reality of his experiences. This commitment to realism is not about dwelling on negativity, but rather about presenting a balanced portrayal of life – acknowledging pain while also seeking to convey warmth and human connection. This nuanced approach allows the film to resonate deeply, offering a genuine and relatable depiction of life’s complexities.
Assembling an Ensemble Cast: The Magic of Collaboration
The film boasts a remarkable ensemble cast, recognized with a special prize at Sundance. Montiel describes the casting process as “a strange trip,” initially harboring reservations about working with established movie stars. He admired films like “RAISING VICTOR VARGAS” and “CITY OF GOD” for their commitment to realism through casting. However, his experience with the cast of “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” proved transformative. He acknowledges the exceptional individual contributions of each actor, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that elevated the film beyond his initial expectations.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Interpretation: Embracing Indifference to Find Realness
Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Dito is particularly insightful. Montiel reveals that Downey Jr. was his initial choice for the role. Interestingly, Downey Jr.’s interpretation diverged from Montiel’s own perception of the character. While Montiel envisioned a more “sappy and sympathetic” portrayal, Downey Jr. brought a sense of “indifference” to the role, initially viewing the character as someone returning to his neighborhood and judging his past acquaintances. Montiel notes, “He brought this sense of indifference to the role that played out as a slow awakening.” This unexpected interpretation added layers of complexity and realness to the character, enriching the film’s narrative.
Channing Tatum as Antonio: Beyond Stereotypes to Compassionate Criminality
Channing Tatum’s casting as Antonio also raised initial concerns for Montiel. The real-life Antonio was physically different from Tatum, described as “5 foot 8 and pretty scraggly looking.” Tatum, with his “Bruce Weber model” looks, seemed an unconventional choice. However, Montiel’s conversations with Tatum revealed a deep understanding of the character. Despite his appearance, Tatum embodied the emotional core of Antonio, capturing the character’s “lost qualities” and portraying him as someone capable of both criminal actions and profound compassion. Tatum’s performance defied expectations, demonstrating his range and ability to inhabit complex, morally ambiguous characters.
New York Then and Now: Capturing the Essence of 1986 Astoria
Montiel reflects on the challenge of depicting 1986 New York, particularly given the city’s rapid gentrification. He notes that while Manhattan and Brooklyn have undergone significant transformations, Queens, especially Astoria, has retained much of its original character. Filming primarily in Astoria allowed them to shoot on the actual streets where the story unfolded, enhancing the film’s authenticity. The East Village presented a greater challenge, requiring them to find specific blocks that still resonated with the gritty atmosphere of the 1980s. This attention to location detail underscores the film’s commitment to creating an immersive and believable environment.
The Unspoken and the Unobvious: Stylistic Choices for Emotional Impact
Montiel and cinematographer Eric Gautier consciously opted for subtlety and nuance in their stylistic choices. Rejecting obvious visual cues and clichés, they aimed to evoke a sense of atmosphere and emotion organically. Montiel explains, “We kept going for this sense of opposites with the whole film… Going for the less obvious maybe is a better description.” This approach extended to acting and costume design, trusting that the cumulative effect of these subtle details would create a powerful and immersive experience for the viewer. The film’s mood piece quality is enhanced by unconventional voiceovers and characters addressing the screen, contributing to its fragmented, memory-like feel.
Fragmented Memories: Reconstructing the Past Through Film
The film’s unconventional narrative structure, incorporating voiceovers and direct address, reflects Montiel’s intention to portray fragmented memories. Set in 1986, the film mirrors the way memory operates – non-linear and piecemeal. Montiel questions, “How do you put those pieces back together again? That was the thought behind it, if there was one at all.” The voiceovers are conversational rather than expository, revealing as much through what is left unsaid as through explicit dialogue. This approach contributes to the film’s introspective and emotionally resonant quality.
Post-Production Magic: Where the Film Truly Comes Alive
Montiel reveals that while filming was exciting, the film truly coalesced in post-production. Contrary to the typical experience of falling in love with dailies on set, Montiel initially found the raw footage to be “a bunch of madness.” It was during post-production, witnessing the performances of actors like Chazz Palminteri and the editing process, that the film’s potential became fully realized. This highlights the transformative power of post-production in shaping the final narrative and emotional impact of the film.
Walking Down Memory Lane: Catharsis and Beauty in Retrospection
Adapting his memoir for the screen was not solely a process of dredging up past traumas, but also a “walk down memory lane” for Montiel. Working with Eric Gautier, he aimed to capture the beauty he remembered alongside the pain. Inspired by films like “REQUIEM FOR A DREAM” and “CLOCKERS,” Montiel sought to create a unique portrayal of his neighborhood, emphasizing both its beauty and the inherent pain intertwined with life. This process was less about reliving trauma and more about revisiting and re-evaluating his past with a mature and artistic perspective.
Life After “A Guide”: Updates on Real-Life Characters
Montiel provides poignant updates on the real-life individuals who inspired the characters in the film. His mother has passed away. Nerf is now an ambulance driver. Antonio’s younger brother struggles with addiction. Giuseppi remains a career criminal. Antonio is still incarcerated. Tragically, Laurie passed away from AIDS two years prior to the interview. These updates ground the film in reality, reminding audiences of the real lives and lasting impacts behind the fictionalized narrative.
“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” is more than just a movie; it’s an exploration of memory, emotion, and the complex tapestry of life. Through Dito Montiel’s insightful commentary, audiences gain a deeper appreciation for the film’s artistic choices and its profound emotional resonance.
