Meet Antonio Fungairino | Film Director & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Antonio Fungairino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antonio, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I, along with other friends and filmmakers, founded Kettlemaker, a production company focused on collaboration through low-budget film production/festivals. The idea came to me after 2 or so years of living in Los Angeles and feeling like I still was waiting to do what I came here to do: make films. At the time, I was reading a book on Rainer Werner Fassbinder. His intensely productive approach to filmmaking is sort of the genesis for this whole thing. Make films now however you can. The name Kettlemaker comes from an early Fassbinder film: Katzelmacher.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have directed two feature films, both on shoestring budgets, with the help of friends and family. I wrote both of them, acted in them, produced them, and edited them. They were both completely overwhelming labors of love. The process of building a film this way is taxing and unsustainable, but I keep finding myself coming back.

I approach my films with the mentality that they must be honest, if anything. There are a million compromises to make while making a movie, and honesty of expression can never be one of them. It could cost nothing to make, and look and sound like junk, but if you say what you mean and mean what you say, it doesn’t matter. It might mean something to someone. I hope I can inspire people in my life to make their own films in their own way. The more filmmakers making movies, the better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Gokoku in Noho for ramen, Joy in Highland Park for Taiwanese food, Tacos Delta in Silver Lake for breakfast burritos/good lunch, and any spot in Little Ethiopia.

I’m obsessed with bookstores, my favorite one to hang out is Stories in Echo Park. Book Alley in Pasadena has a wonderfully wide selection for good prices. Sideshow Books on La Cienaga cannot be missed. A Good Used Book has a new store in my neck of the woods (Historic Filipinotown). They’re very nice people and they have great books! The Last Bookstore in DTLA is a staple for good reason. The tourists can be annoying, but they have great prices and a huge selection. Skylight Books in Los Feliz is a great spot for new books. Read Books in Eagle Rock is highly underrated. It’s next to the Vidiots theater! Go grab a cheap used book, pet the bookstore dog, and go catch a movie!

Speaking of movie theaters: I love the New Beverly, the Vista, the Los Feliz 3, the Laemmles in Glendale and NoHo. I urge the readers of Shoutout LA to check out 564presents. They put on weekly double features, scored screenings of silent films, and other awesome events. Great way to meet other film nerds, plus it’s just a good hang!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shoutout the rest of the Kettlemaker team: Kat Eaton, Charles Towle, and Leila Berger. All three of these people are great friends and wonderful collaborators. Kat and Charlie are terrific actors, Leila is a fantastic writer, all three are committed to Kettlemaker and the work we do. The work ethic of all three of these individuals has kept this ship afloat. I’m thankful to them for the daily motivation. There is no Kettlemaker without them.

Instagram: @afungairino / @kettlemakerfilms

Youtube: Antonio Fungairino / Kettlemaker Films

Other: The IG page for my current feature is @stevenslastnightintown