Miki Abt
Hola Miki. What brings you to Soho this time?
Life. One more time. Again. Always happy to be here.
You were a surfer before becoming a director. How did that happen?
I'm still a surfer and always will be. Surfing is my therapy. Keeps me aligned to my axis. Connected to Nature. To 'Pachamama'. Fills my soul.
When did you start surfing?
I was eleven when I started. I was living near the beach in Uruguay.
What drove you to surfing at that age?
My older brother and his friends were surfers. I went along with them. It took off from there. Punta del Este, Costa Rica, Brazil, France, California, Hawaii, Lanzarote and Bali followed.
Life. One more time. Again. Always happy to be here.
You were a surfer before becoming a director. How did that happen?
I'm still a surfer and always will be. Surfing is my therapy. Keeps me aligned to my axis. Connected to Nature. To 'Pachamama'. Fills my soul.
When did you start surfing?
I was eleven when I started. I was living near the beach in Uruguay.
What drove you to surfing at that age?
My older brother and his friends were surfers. I went along with them. It took off from there. Punta del Este, Costa Rica, Brazil, France, California, Hawaii, Lanzarote and Bali followed.
THE CAVANI CONNECTION
And directing, how did that happen?
The director I used to work with told me one day "now you are ready, brother."
It was meant to be. The day I had a camera in my hands I realised that my mission in life was to become a film director. It was a natural evolution.
It didn't happen from one way to the other. I worked in the art department, then I became an art director. Then I started working in the direction department from second AD, then first AD, then I was a director's assistant and got closer to real thing, directing . It took me ten years.
The director I used to work with told me one day "now you are ready, brother."
It was meant to be. The day I had a camera in my hands I realised that my mission in life was to become a film director. It was a natural evolution.
It didn't happen from one way to the other. I worked in the art department, then I became an art director. Then I started working in the direction department from second AD, then first AD, then I was a director's assistant and got closer to real thing, directing . It took me ten years.
How did you get your first job?
Magically, my very good friend Yannick Noah (former French tennis champion) had become a pop singer by then and was launching his new album and invited me to direct the music video for the single 'No More Fighting, No More Killing'. This track became No 1 in France (link below).
Then I moved into commercials. My first job was a Coca-Cola commercial. It took off non-stop from there.
Magically, my very good friend Yannick Noah (former French tennis champion) had become a pop singer by then and was launching his new album and invited me to direct the music video for the single 'No More Fighting, No More Killing'. This track became No 1 in France (link below).
Then I moved into commercials. My first job was a Coca-Cola commercial. It took off non-stop from there.
THE BOMBA STEREO CONNECTION
How did New York City come into the equation?
I moved to New York to work in the film industry. I was there when I directed Yannick's music video.
I moved to New York to work in the film industry. I was there when I directed Yannick's music video.
How does Soho comes into the equation?
Work. Work, Work. There are a lot of things happening in film production in and around Soho. The director Leo Ricagni did a lot of jobs here and I was assisting him from Great Guns.
Did you stop surfing then?
Never.
Work. Work, Work. There are a lot of things happening in film production in and around Soho. The director Leo Ricagni did a lot of jobs here and I was assisting him from Great Guns.
Did you stop surfing then?
Never.
Shot from Cavani Wines commercial
Which was your last project?
I just directed a job for footballer Edinson Cavani. A comercial for his new wine company. The Cavani commercial is a connection with Nature through wine.
Your next project?
I have a script for a feature film. I am talking to investors in the UK.
I just directed a job for footballer Edinson Cavani. A comercial for his new wine company. The Cavani commercial is a connection with Nature through wine.
Your next project?
I have a script for a feature film. I am talking to investors in the UK.
THE CHICAGO CONNECTION
What's the film about?
A friend of mine from way back created a comic strip. I have adapted that story to something I wanted to do for a long time.
This is to combine the soul of surfing and its close connection with Nature and what I know about life.
It's surf drama.
A friend of mine from way back created a comic strip. I have adapted that story to something I wanted to do for a long time.
This is to combine the soul of surfing and its close connection with Nature and what I know about life.
It's surf drama.
A bit like The Silver Surfer?
I don't follow it. That's like Science Fiction, an optical illusion.
I prefer to stay on the ground or in the water.
Those are my grassroots.
I don't follow it. That's like Science Fiction, an optical illusion.
I prefer to stay on the ground or in the water.
Those are my grassroots.
THE CNT CONNECTION
THE YANNICK NOAH CONNECTION
Yannick Noah - La voix des sages
(No More Fighting) (Clip officiel)
https://youtu.be/pS3rkCJ-_Lo?si=tGi7w5XHeVfRuNZU
Yannick Noah - La voix des sages
(No More Fighting) (Clip officiel)
https://youtu.be/pS3rkCJ-_Lo?si=tGi7w5XHeVfRuNZU
Special thanks to Bar Italia Soho for the location of this interview.
