BOLZANO. Johannes Stötter he is 46 years old, lives in Vipiteno and, for years now, has been unanimously considered the best “body painter” of the world. Stötter, however, does not limit himself to painting the bodies of men and women, but with his models he manages to create incredible and unexpected shapes. True magic resulting from the genius of an artist.
In short, a master who enjoys deserved international fame. So much so that a true sacred monster of world cinema like the director Francis Ford Coppola approached him to ask him for one of his works to include in his latest film, “Megalopolis“, out in Italy on October 16th.
Coppola, 85 years old, with a career spanning over sixty years, five Oscar awards and an endless list of recognitions, contacted Stötter on Christmas Day 2022. «He wrote me an email – says the South Tyrolean artist – and then we seen on video call. He explained to me that his daughter had sent him a video of one of my works and, after seeing it, he thought I could create what he needed for his film.”
However, Stötter maintains the strictest confidentiality regarding what he achieved, in compliance with the very strict clauses imposed in the contract by the production. What is certain is that the artist from Vipiteno immediately got to work, starting a creative journey that, in the end, led to what Coppola wanted.
«He left me great freedom – continues Stötter – but I immediately understood that he was very clear about what he needed. We spoke several times, I sent him drawings and descriptions. He gave me advice and also asked me for modifications based on his needs. Then I realized he was right.” Then, in great secrecy, in July 2023, Francis Ford Coppola landed with his private jet in Innsbruck and arrived in Alto Adige, to “collect” the work created by Stötter.
«We rented a room in Fleres, the most suitable for Coppola’s needs – reveals the artist – and there, a real shooting studio was set up. There, the models were prepared and the technicians who arrived with the great director filmed what I had planned in the long previous months.” A precious 28-second pearl that was inserted into Coppola’s latest creation, within which it turns out to be an important passage of the narrative.
«It all lasted three days – explains Stötter – and I was able to appreciate the great availability of the director with whom I spoke at length, not only about what we were doing, but also about aspects of his private life. He told me he became a great-grandfather a few months ago, for example.” After a similar experience, which promises to guarantee him even greater worldwide fame, what are Stötter’s plans? «There are several things in the pipeline – he concludes – but I am already working on the show that I create here in Vipiteno every two years». Those who want to see Stötter’s contribution in the film Megalopolis just have to wait until the 16th of this month and go to the cinema.