BIOFILMOGRAPHICAL INTERVIEW: ERNEST GREGL

The Importance of Being Earnest

With the introductory text, the author points out the multifaceted personality of Ernest Gregl who, during his lifetime, affirmed himself in many areas of film production as a director of photography, special effects cinematographer, special effects animator, film technician, technologist, innovator, restorer, director, a titles and credits creator, lecturer and associate for the Film Encyclopedia, and, in every one of those fields, he achieved startling innovations and results.

The author also stresses Gregl’s quiet persistence and unassuming ability to, in a vitalistic manner, outlive the numerous changes in the cinematic system like a Dorian Gray, who constantly replenishes himself and experiences film with every pore, ready to, at a moment’s notice, take the places of those that are missing in a film crew.

The introductory text is followed by conversations with E. Gregl, Z. Berković, R. Ivančević, M. Blažeković, Lj. Njerš and A. Peterlić about the experience of working on the realization of films with him. The text concludes with a conversation between Petar Krelja and Ernest Gregl, in which Gregl talks about his work, the innovations he made while solving certain cinematography problems, and about the creation of his documentary film Između gline i vatre (Between Clay and Fire).

Petar Krelja