Cosima Spender Quotes

I would like people to feel that they've understood something more about Siena than the usual Palio as seen by tourists. It is full of beauty, romance and tradition, but also power, schemes and bribery. It's Italy in a nutshell, with all its incredible mixture of beauty and betrayal.

I studied anthropology and art history, as I have always been captivated by living traditions.

I grew up in Siena and was surrounded by the Palio, and all my friends at school were obsessed with it. But since my parents are English, I was never quite part of it.

The Palio is shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and the players can't discuss their devious schemes.

Paradoxically, in the field being a woman actually helps you: people often feel more comfortable talking to women, which is key in documentaries.

If something I make succeeds, people say it was luck. But I don't just throw myself into the unknown. I research my subjects and listen constantly to what the characters have to say. Luck comes into it, but the story is made by them.

Documentaries are unpredictable. You never know what will turn up, and the drama occurs in real time. But if you listen to people, a narrative always emerges.