Hot on the heels of receiving the prestigious Golden Eye award at the Zurich Film Festival on Saturday night, veteran actor and filmmaker John Turturro continued his engagement with the Swiss cinematic celebration by leading a masterclass on Sunday. The Emmy-winning American star, recognized for his compelling performance in Noah Segan’s independent film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, offered a deep dive into his multifaceted career, spanning decades of iconic roles and directorial endeavors. The masterclass, held amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Zurich Film Festival, provided a platform for Turturro to share insights into his creative process, his artistic philosophies, and his enduring passion for storytelling.
A Weekend of Accolades and Artistic Discourse
Turturro’s presence in Zurich was amplified by the critical acclaim surrounding The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, a film that has been generating significant awards buzz since its premiere. In the movie, Turturro portrays Harry, a seasoned pickpocket whose meticulously ordered existence is irrevocably disrupted when a high-stakes job goes awry, triggering a tense 36-hour narrative arc. The role has been lauded for its nuanced portrayal of a character grappling with the consequences of his actions, a testament to Turturro’s ability to imbue even complex or morally ambiguous characters with profound humanity.
The masterclass itself was a career-spanning conversation, moderated by Melanie Goodfellow of Deadline, with Turturro’s shining Golden Eye trophy positioned as a silent testament to his recent achievement. The discussion delved into his formative years growing up in an immigrant household, a background that he has often cited as a significant influence on his artistic sensibilities. He also spoke at length about his enduring, decades-long friendship and creative partnership with filmmaker Spike Lee, a collaboration that has yielded some of American cinema’s most memorable works. Furthermore, Turturro offered his perspective on the intricate transition from acting to filmmaking, a path he has navigated with considerable success.
Navigating the Awards Landscape with Humility
The conversation naturally gravitated towards the burgeoning awards season and Turturro’s potential Oscar nomination for his leading role in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. Despite the growing anticipation, Turturro maintained his characteristic humility and pragmatic approach. "I never really have gone the whole hog with it," he admitted regarding his engagement with the typical awards campaign circuit. "But now I’m the lead in the film, so I’m going to support the film because I love the film." He elaborated on the practical benefits of such recognition, stating that being part of awards conversations is "helpful to help you do the next thing."
While acknowledging the pleasantness of being acknowledged, Turturro emphasized that it is not the primary motivation behind his artistic pursuits. "Great, but that’s not why you do it," he asserted. "Just because a film is really popular doesn’t mean it will have staying power, but it’s nice to be in the conversation." He articulated a personal philosophy that eschews overt competitiveness, stating, "I don’t look upon myself as being a competitive person. I’m competitive with myself. I want to get the most out of what I can do, but it’s not sports!" This sentiment underscores his dedication to personal growth and artistic integrity over external validation.
The Maturation of an Artist: Experience as a Creative Catalyst
Turturro expressed a palpable sense of surprise, tinged with satisfaction, at the overwhelmingly positive critical reception his performance has garnered, particularly following its Sundance debut. "Finally," he mused, "I’m in something that people will see…" He then eloquently described how the craft of acting offers a unique avenue for continuous improvement, a sentiment that resonates deeply with his seasoned perspective. "My job is I like to try to improve, and I feel like being an actor is one of the few things you can improve in. You may not be able to run as fast as you did when you were younger, but I have a lot of life experience, and as you get older, you accumulate that, and you can distill things in a way that you couldn’t do when you were young, because you didn’t really experience all those things."
He elaborated on the profound impact of lived experience on artistic expression. "And now I’ve experienced life, death, loss, being a parent, being married – what it is to really love someone versus falling in love. That’s a huge difference," he added with a knowing chuckle, highlighting the depth and complexity that age and experience bring to an artist’s interpretative abilities. This reflection speaks to the evolving nature of performance, where accumulated wisdom and emotional understanding become invaluable tools.
Revisiting Acclaimed Television Roles: Severance and The Night Of
The masterclass also provided an opportunity for Turturro to revisit some of his most impactful television performances of the last decade. He spoke fondly of his roles in HBO’s The Night Of and Apple TV+’s Severance, both of which garnered significant critical acclaim and audience engagement.
Regarding Severance, Turturro coyly, yet definitively, confirmed his return for the third season of the Emmy-winning series, starring Adam Scott. "Yeah," he eventually responded to an eager audience, "As long as they give me interesting things to do, then I’m interested." He seized the moment to express his deep admiration for his Severance co-star, Christopher Walken, whose character, Burt Goodman, formed a poignant romantic connection with Turturro’s Irving Bailiff in the show’s first season. Turturro recalled his initial query about his on-screen love interest, stating, "’Who’s going to be my love interest?’ And they were like, ‘All these younger guys.’ I said, ‘Well no, I’ve worked with Chris Walken,’ and I said, ‘I want Chris, because I love Chris.’ And I don’t have to act that I love him because I love him." This personal connection, he explained, informed their authentic on-screen chemistry, even when Walken expressed bewilderment at the show’s intricate narrative. Turturro’s guidance, rooted in their extensive working relationship, allowed Walken to anchor his performance in their genuine bond. "I said, ‘Don’t worry about it. You just look at me.’ We have so much fun because I directed him like three times, and we’ve acted, and we’ve worked together a lot. And he’s a wonderful theater actor, and people obviously think he plays only strange [characters] but he can do a lot of different things. He’s also very sensitive, but he has a childlike joy in his work, and when that happens, anything is possible."
The discussion then turned to The Night Of, the acclaimed HBO crime drama that earned five Emmy Awards, including a nomination for Turturro’s portrayal of the eczema-stricken defense lawyer John Stone. " The Night Of is something I’m very proud of," Turturro stated, recalling his decision to avoid watching the original BBC miniseries to avoid pre-conceived notions. He even revealed a desire for a second season, lamenting that a lack of consensus on the narrative prevented its realization. "But I loved doing it. It was one of those great experiences in my life."
A Four-Decade Legacy: Collaborations and Artistic Choices
Turturro’s illustrious career, spanning over four decades, is marked by a remarkable array of collaborations with some of the most celebrated directors in film history, including Spike Lee, the Coen brothers, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Robert De Niro, Nanni Moretti, and Pedro Almodóvar. His international breakthrough came through his work with Spike Lee, featuring in seminal films like Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever. His collaborations with the Coen brothers have resulted in memorable performances in Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and the iconic role of Jesus Quintana in The Big Lebowski. His lead performance in Barton Fink earned him the Best Actor award at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival, an experience he reflected upon in Zurich.
During his masterclass, Turturro noted a perceived difference in the types of roles he is offered in Europe compared to Hollywood, suggesting he often finds more "normal" characters in European productions. This observation was followed by a candid admission of his selective approach to his career, particularly his refusal to accept scripts that involve his characters perpetrating violence against women, a principle he has adhered to "again and again." This principled stance highlights his commitment to his artistic values and his desire to contribute to narratives that align with his ethical framework.
The Eternal Student: Embracing the Journey
Upon accepting the Golden Eye award on Saturday night, Turturro quoted Italian novelist Cesare Pavese: " ‘[He] once said that the only great thing in life is to begin. I still consider myself a beginner in many ways.’" This profound statement encapsulates his lifelong dedication to learning and growth within his craft. He expressed deep gratitude for his career, articulating his aspiration to "make a living doing something that interested me and to do interesting work – to share that with an audience, [and that] wouldn’t diminish their intelligence at the same time." He humorously added, "I consider this an encouragement to continue," underscoring his forward-looking perspective and his ongoing commitment to artistic exploration.
Turturro joins a distinguished roster of honorees at the 22nd edition of the Zurich Film Festival, which runs from September 24th to October 4th. Previous recipients of the Golden Eye award include Julianne Moore, and Tom Hiddleston, further cementing the festival’s reputation for celebrating cinematic excellence and honoring artists who have made significant contributions to the art of filmmaking. The festival, now in its 22nd year, continues to serve as a vital platform for both established and emerging filmmakers, fostering dialogue and appreciation for diverse cinematic voices.
