Paper Tiger Producer Marco Perego Encourages Artists to Prioritize Cultural Expression at Cannes
Cannes Premiere of Paper Tiger Fuels Producer Marco Perego’s Vision for Independent Cinema
Saturday night marked the premiere of James Gray’s film Paper Tiger at the Cannes Film Festival, followed by a lively afterparty. However, Marco Perego, one of the film’s producers, opted out of the celebration to focus on his latest venture. Meeting over coffee at the Majestic Hotel, he shared insights about his passion project, Artists’ Haven Pictures, which he founded just months ago.
Artists’ Haven aims to create a curated community of prominent filmmakers who will convene biannually at major film festivals, fostering collaboration and co-investment in independent cinema "not out of obligation, but out of kinship."
Perego has made history as the first producer to feature three films in Competition at Cannes, which includes Paper Tiger, Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Minotaur, and Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord. He also produced Kantemir Balagov’s Butterfly Jam, which opened the Director’s Fortnight. Despite this landmark achievement, Perego emphasizes that the focus is on collective effort rather than individual accolades. “Artists Haven is about ‘we’, not ‘I,’” he stated. He aims to leverage his Cannes experience to advocate for a renewed sense of community reminiscent of the founding principles of United Artists.
Reflecting on his background in sports, Perego noted the importance of collaboration: “Success is never individual — it is built through trust, sacrifice, and a shared goal.” This philosophy drives his commitment to fostering a supportive environment for creatives.
His manifesto echoes the sentiments of early cinema pioneers, stating, “In a time when the film industry was dominated by powerful studios… artists refused to be just employees of a system that limited their voices.” The establishment of Artists’ Haven serves as a response to the current challenges faced by filmmakers, emphasizing the need for creative freedom today.
With a $10 million investment fund, Perego aims to introduce a financial model that benefits both investors and artists equally, advocating for a 50-50 split in revenue between those who fund projects and those who bring them to fruition.
Perego’s recent directorial effort, Petrichor, exemplifies his vision. Inspired by a personal family experience, the film addresses themes of “rebirth” and features actors such as Isabella Rossellini and Valeria Golino. He credits co-writer Alexander Dinelaris for his invaluable feedback, highlighting the collaborative spirit he seeks to cultivate within Artists’ Haven.
Perego notes that the sense of community among filmmakers has diminished in recent years, attributing this to various factors, including the commercialization of art. He believes that returning to a more collective mindset is essential for the industry’s future. “If one project does not succeed, we move forward together and make another,” he asserts, emphasizing shared risks and commitments.
With aspirations to enhance Artists’ Haven’s presence post-Cannes, Perego expresses enthusiasm for building a supportive network within the film community. "I have a very strong family-like community of people, artists, and I just want to start having this conversation," he concluded.
Anthony Katagas, Adam Driver, James Gray and Miles Teller attend the ‘Paper Tiger’ screening in Cannes
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
