At TIFF.21, last night, Citizen Ashe was screened at the Victoria Cinema, directed by Rex Miller and Sam Pollard. Before the screening of the documentary that follows the life of the famous sportsman and activist Arthur Ashe, a sneak peek from Nasty was projected for the first time, directed by Tudor Giurgiu and produced by Cosmin Hodor. The audience watched the fragment of the film documenting the life and career of one of the most accomplished and appreciated tennis players of all time, Ilie Năstase. AperiTIFF asked him a few questions on the Visuin terrace at Casa TIFF.
How do you feel at TIFF?
Very well, how else? I first came here 64 years ago, when I was 12, with the children's tennis camp. That field has since been taken down. These are beautiful memories.
How do you deal with the status of a documentary film subject?
It’s all about my life. What I did from 4 to 39 years of age. It's better to have a chance to introduce myself now than ever. Maybe we woke up a little late and it's a little complicated with the copyright for guest interviews we want to integrate. Many moved to California, Los Angeles. It would be hard and expensive to get the team there.
Do you know how the idea of this documentary came about? I was sitting with Tudor right at this table (TIFF House) and he says to me: “You know what we should do here in Romania? A movie about you, Ilie Năstase.” It was all very spontaneous, and from there all the ideas went on. We still have a lot of work to do. It is only next year that we can finish production.
Are you nervous about tonight's premiere?
It'll only be 15 minutes. We have dozens of hours of filming. I am waiting for the final result. I'm not nervous about seeing myself on a movie screen, it's my life. Let’s see how the audience reacts. I can't wait to see Citizen Ashe. I find the title of the film very interesting, very natural. I also met Jhonnie Ashe, Arthur's brother at a coffee shop in New York. You know how? He addresses De Niro, who is also present there: “How can you not know Ilie Năstase?”
Interview by Emanuela Susanu