“A Brief Affair”, interview with director Ludovica Rampoldi

At the Cinema Made in Italy festival at BFI Southbank, acclaimed Italian screenwriter Ludovica Rampoldi presented her feature directorial debut, “A Brief Affair”. Speaking to FRED Film Radio, Rampoldi discussed transforming a familiar story of love and betrayal into a psychological exploration of desire, identity and emotional growth.

From screenwriter to director

Known for her work on projects including “Gomorrah”, “The Traitor” and “The Bad Guy”, Rampoldi explained that the story for “A Brief Affair” had been with her for many years. Originally written in her twenties, she later revisited the script with a new perspective. “The questions of the story were still contemporary,” she said, “but the answers I had given felt moralistic. With time, your view becomes softer and kinder.”

Reimagining the psychological thriller

The film follows two couples whose lives become dangerously intertwined after a secret affair begins. What starts as a romance gradually evolves into a psychological thriller, drawing inspiration from classics such as “Fatal Attraction” while shifting the perspective toward the female character, often cast as the antagonist. Rampoldi also drew on theatrical influences, citing playwrights such as Edward Albee, Yasmina Reza and Harold Pinter, using intimate spaces to explore the complexity and ambiguity of human relationships.

A story of self-discovery

At its heart, the film becomes a journey of self-understanding for its protagonist, who enters the affair searching for answers about herself and her desires. “For me, what matters in the end is not whether the couples stay together or separate,” Rampoldi said. “What matters is that each character finds their own path and voice.”

Presenting “A Brief Affair” in London as part of Cinema Made in Italy was, Rampoldi said, a great honour. After years working as one of Italy’s most respected screenwriters, she now hopes this debut marks the beginning of a new chapter behind the camera.

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