Journalism born from the heart of the Mediterranean: Josep Morell
His work, such as the award-winning documentary "The Men of Silencereflects his passion for storytelling.
Josep Morell did not enter the world of journalism by chance: he is a vocational journalist. This is demonstrated by his extensive career in major media, his journalistic adventures in the Middle East and an Ondas award for documentary film. "The Men of Silenceof his production company Ottokar. And for someone who has trodden so much of the world, his home is an ideal haven in which to relax in the scent of the Mediterranean and jasmine.
"I always wanted to be a journalist and to have the opportunity to be able to tell stories."
Tell us about yourself and your work. Where did your vocation start? Any first memories?
It all stems many years ago from literature and the magical realism of García Márquez. I always loved reading and writing my own stories, but when I was in high school and I read Gabo for the first time, I was so taken by him that I felt that this is what I wanted to do, to tell stories and let people immerse themselves in my world, making the extraordinary into the everyday and the seemingly insignificant into something unique. I searched for my own language and I found it through art and colour.
My first memories were with the Europa Press agency and Catalunya Ràdio. Then came one of the most fruitful and creative stages at the CAPA agency, working for Canal+ Spain and France.
What do you find most satisfying about your work, and any that you are particularly proud of?
I had a deputy director at Diario de Barcelona, Josep Mª Huertas, who always said that a good journalist has to be someone who doesn't want to sit still at his desk and who has the capacity to want to discover different things every day. My work allows me to enter unknown universes, to meet and portray people, to travel. To know and discover.
I am proud of the last works, the documentary film "The Men of Silence for which we were awarded a 2018 Ondas prize and the last one we have produced and which will be released at the end of this year, "Ernest Lluch; free and daring". on the anniversary of his assassination.
What is your creative process like?
There are no rules, or there are rules for the creative process. Let me explain: sometimes explosions in the cerebral cortex arise spontaneously, in the most unexpected places, driving a motorbike on the way to Barcelona, walking in the mountains or riding a bicycle. This is one range. The other is to work on creativity, to sit down, talk, reflect... Ideas often come out because they are worked on. In short: Creativity must be worked on... As Ferran Adrià says, creativity must be nurtured. ("Feeding creativity").
Favourite colour, book and film.
Blue.
"Stellar moments of humanity". by Stefan Zweig (edited in Spain by Cliff).
The "Guateque". by Blake Edwards.
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us about your home, what do you like most, what does it smell like?
Yes, my house is quite a reflection of the people who live in it, quite eclectic. I like the smell of the Mediterranean when spring comes under the olive tree and the oregano plant is mixed with the mint and jasmine that I have in the garden.
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be?
I would buy time.
A great plan at home always includes...
A conversation with friends, making a stir-fry in the kitchen listening to music.
Do you have a signature dish?
Photo by Carlos Román.
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
Close to the sea, to be able to smell the salt in the air.
Abroad, the Damascus Gate with peasant women selling tomatoes and bunches of mint as you enter the Old City of Jerusalem.
My work allows me to enter unknown universes, to meet people, to portray them, to travel. To discover.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you, speak now or forever hold your peace!
I am forever silent... As the Roman law says, he who is silent is silent.
