A GAZE INTO THE ABYSS

Director Claudio Marino opens up about his Niklas Kvarforth documentary, Cold Void

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE THE FILM WITH NIKLAS?

“The headlines, the rumours and the stories about him. I wanted to see who he was beneath the scandals and scars. Was it all true? Either way I thought there had to be a interesting person and story behind it all. It turned out I was right.”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH HIM? DID YOU SEE ANYTHING THAT REALLY SURPRISED YOU?

“Niklas was very cooperative and accommodating. That said, the days of recording was pretty chaotic compared to my earlier productions. It turned out he was a film buff just as me. We have stayed in contact since.”

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MAIN AIM OR MESSAGE OF THE DOCUMENTARY?

“I feel the content is pretty far from sensational – that was my intention from the very beginning – and I don’t want to impose an idea or message with my films but to have the subject tell his or her own story. It’s up to the viewer to take something away from it.”

HOW DOES SHINING’S MUSIC AFFECT YOU PERSONALLY?

“I first came in contact with Shining’s record Livets Ändhållplats when I was in Abyss Studio, recording an album at the beginning of the millennium, but apart from that I’ve really only listened to VII: Född Förlorare.”

COLD VOID IS OUT NOW VIA ARTAX FILM