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Q&A WITH FILM DIRECTOR SERGIO NAVARRETTA AND WHY HE LOVES INNISFIL

JANIS RAMSAY jramsay@simcoe.com

After a recent Canadian Geographic story came out about "The Cuban" director Sergio Navarretta saying his favourite spot in Canada is Lake Simcoe, he spoke to Simcoe.com about why he loves small-town Innisfil.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD.

My parents came to Canada from southern Italy in 1969. Now, reflecting back, I admire and can't even imagine the courage it took to come here with $200, not knowing the language, and starting a new life. I think about that a lot, the plight of a new immigrant. And now we have many immigrants here.

I've always struggled with an identity crisis. Growing up (in the Mississauga area), I was always told I was different. I had a different last name, I ate weird food — I was born here, but there was always that gap. I remember my first day of kindergarten, I didn't speak English at all. I spoke Italian.

Q: WHAT GOT YOU INTO DIRECTING?

A: I started in music, even got to a point where I had a song on the radio. I was a vocalist and studied vocal at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Music was my first love.

In my early 20s, I was trying to figure out my life. I was at York University, I was unsatisfied, and dealt with anxiety and panic attacks, and learned creative ways to manage it. I started opening my own businesses where I could be my own boss. I opened a vintage clothing store in Woodbridge and an (independent) director walked in. It almost sounds like I'm making this up. I worked under him for several years, learning the business.

Eventually, I put an ad in the paper, I'm going to make my own movie. I have no money, I have an idea, and 100 people responded to that ad. Forty people ended up showing up and some of those people are friends today. They still joke about back then — we didn't know how to load the camera, so we ended up using a hammer. Imagine having a hammer on set? And Kodak gave us their free ends. I had a ton of support.

That film ended up premiering at the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. And I never looked back.

Q: HOW DID YOU END UP IN INNISFIL?

A: I was in my 20s and because I was financially unstable, a friend said I needed to invest in a property that has a positive cash flow. I looked at emerging markets, and I found a place here that had four units. At first, I rented it out. Then I said it is so fabulous — it's right on the lake and it's idyllic. I needed to be away from the city, so at that time, it was perfect.

It wasn't long after, I realized the beauty and charm of it here. I'm a water person and wanted to be at the lake. It's funny, because a lot of the people in the business

say I need to be in an urban centre. That's not true at all. I felt community, and support, and seeing the immense talent that exists here is unbelievable. I didn't move here to be around the business, I moved here for the tranquility and peace, and to raise a family. It's a diamond in

the rough.

Places like this, Friday Harbour, are precious to us and it's a large lake, great for boating and it's safe. It was the best kept secret — until now. I've had industry people meet me here and talk shop. The industry is in such turmoil, and I have to be grounded.

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2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281513640551269

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