Interview: MK
Photography: Erin McKinney
Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Monica Goti’s turn, the creative director behind the Trieste Film Festival, which takes over our city at the beginning of every year for almost 30 years now.
Are you from Trieste?
I was born in Livorno and I am half Caribbean. Trieste has adopted me!
What do you love about living here?
I love that Trieste is a multicultural city, very diverse, a mixed city in terms of traditions, languages and roots. I also love that culture has a strong impact on everyday city life. You always come across cultural events: theater plays, presentations of books, art exhibitions, film festivals, concerts and public debates on historical, political and social subjects usually in the presence of important and influential guests.
How did you start working in the film industry? Has this always been your dream?
It all happened by chance. I studied political science and had a dream of becoming a diplomat, but at the end of my studies, when I was thinking if that life was for me, out of the blue, I was offered to replace a girl in the programming office at the Trieste Film Festival and decided to give it a try. I loved it and later applied for a vacancy at the Mostra del Cinema di Venezia, where I got the opportunity to work in one of the most important festivals of the world for many years. This has been my field of work for more than 15 years now. It was not my dream, but working in the film industry has become a dream job, indeed.
What’s the best part about working for the Trieste Film Festival?
The best part is that we are a strong team made of women mostly, very respectful of everybody’s efforts and ideas. Also, it is a very inventive job, you never get bored. It gives an opportunity of staying in constant contact with an international environment and offers a chance of exchanging ideas and experiences with other professionals of other film festivals, for example, at a very high level.
What was the last book you read and what’s currently on your nightstand?
The last book I read was Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates, a beautiful biographical fiction novel about Marilyn Monroe. Right now I am reading a book about learning some tools regarding the act of public speaking.
What are you currently listening to, either music or podcast?
My favorite podcast at the moment is Stories by Cecilia Sala produced by Choramedia.
The music I listen to is always rock: Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine.
What do you love most about living in Trieste?
I love the fact that you can reach mountains or that you can go by the sea quickly and easily and that the city is very close to many other beautiful countries like Slovenia and Croatia. I also love that it has this naturalistic aspect quite close to the city center.
What is something one must know before moving here?
Trieste is a beautiful lady, a bit snobbish, you have to be patient, study it, explore it and then you will be overwhelmed by her grace and, sometimes, by her roughness as well!
Any great movies to watch out for in 2023?
The Happiest Man in the World by Teona Strugar Mitevska, a film about the importance of memory, especially the historic one, and about forgiveness.
Let’s talk travel…where’s on your list for 2023
Holland, because I have family there: It’s time to reconnect with distant relatives!
