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Isabella Rossellini Is Working on a History of Pets Shorts Series, Talks David Lynch, Robert Redford
Isabella Rossellini has revealed she is developing a new animal-themed short film series called "The Survival of the Friendliest," which will explore the history of pets and domestic animals. Speaking at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, the actress and filmmaker said she will play every role in the series herself, continuing a body of work that began with 2008's Green Porno and has previously covered mating behaviour and animal motherhood.
Rossellini credited the late Robert Redford with encouraging her to make Green Porno for the Sundance Channel, saying he believed short films suited the small screens of early smartphones, and that she "owes" him her directing career. She also discussed her early struggles after harsh reviews of her debut film role in The Meadow led her to quit acting for five years and focus on modelling instead, and explained she has no immediate plans to direct a feature film due to time constraints from running a farm and acting commitments. She additionally reflected on her collaborations with directors including David Lynch, Robert Zemeckis, Guy Maddin and James Gray, recalling the controversy around Lynch's Blue Velvet.
In short
- Rossellini developing new pets-themed short film series, "The Survival of the Friendliest"
- She credits Robert Redford for launching her directing career
- No feature film planned yet; she cites lack of time
Explained simply
Isabella Rossellini is an Italian-American actor and filmmaker whose work has often explored the lives and behaviour of animals. Her earlier short-film series, Green Porno, used brief, playful films to explain subjects such as animal mating and motherhood, with Rossellini performing different roles herself.
Robert Redford was an American actor and filmmaker who founded the Sundance Film Festival and supported independent films. David Lynch was an American film director known for unsettling, often unconventional films; Rossellini appeared in his 1986 film Blue Velvet, which drew controversy for its disturbing subject matter.
Rossellini has also acted in films by directors including Robert Zemeckis, Guy Maddin and James Gray. Her path from acting to modelling and later filmmaking helps explain how her work has crossed film, performance and animal education.
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