Lass Bros realise Indie dream through film fests

Independent film makers around the globe are facing difficulties in getting their films across to the audience. Film festivals open that rare window for film makers to showcase their movies, feel the Lass brothers. Both the brothers, Jakob Lass and Tom Lass,  film makers from Germany, are here in the city in connection with the screening of their movies at the ongoing Kochi International Film Festival (KIFF).

Regarding the theatrical release of independent movies, the Lass brothers feel that the number of people visiting the theatres are diminishing year by year.

“It is a global issue. Earlier, people used to spend more time in front of television sets, but now it is the internet that people are spending more on. Hence, releasing movies online is one option that the independent filmmakers can think of. We are optimistic about the same and hope that such a system will gain prominence in the coming years,” Tom said.

Jakob’s movie ‘Frontalwatte’ and Tom’s movie ‘Papa Gold’ will be screened this week at the KIFF. The brothers, who direct the movies individually, produce their works jointly.

“Usually, the producers look at the commercial aspects of a movie than its artistic value. So we decided to invest in our movies, which will give us more artistic freedom,” said Tom.

He said that in Germany, mainstream cinema is also facing challenges owing to the economic slowdown that has resulted in production houses hesitating to invest even in big movies. “However, the revolutionary changes and the invasion of digital technology has opened up new avenues. Various options,  including the advent of DSLR cameras, offer opportunities to the independent film makers to overcome the budget constrains,” said Jakob. Tom is giving the final touches to his new movie ‘Kaptn Oskar’ while Jakob has finished ‘Fogma# 1’. The directors love to set the story and characters in a realistic plane. “For instance, ‘Fogma #1’ is set in the backdrop of a hotel. It is a love story of a cook and masseur . I shot the movie in a hotel and followed the real staff who were engaged in day-to-day activities rather than using professional artists. This, I think, will bring in more reality to the frames,” said Jakob. The trailers (with subtitles) of the movies by Jakob and Tom are available at  www.lassbros.com.