Who wants to see Who Saw Him?
Berlin-born director Claudia Rorarius’s road movie and debut feature Who Saw Him was produced through her company Soquiet Filmproduktion and shown in world avant-premiere at the Montreal Film Festival 2009 before screening at other prestigious festivals like Karlovy Vary. It is now finally getting ready for release on German screens with no support other than that of audiences through the "crowdfunding" system.
The film tells the story of a young German-Italian (played by singer-dancer-actor Gianni Meurer, who also helped write the screenplay) who grew up in Germany but suddenly decides, more than 25 years later, that he wants to find his biological father. His search across northern Italy is rendered difficult by the fabrications and lies built up around his parent.
The film’s release in German theatres (scheduled for August 18), and its DVD release, will be financed by Internet users via two platforms: Startnext for German-speaking countries and Indiegogo for the rest of the world. In return, the aforementioned Internet users will receive, depending on the amount paid, an expression of thanks, a personal video by Meurer, a signed poster or DVD, or tickets for the film’s premiere.
Although German independent productions are much encouraged, it’s at the distribution stage that some small films get left by the wayside, emphasises Rorarius, who does indeed count a lot on individuals, with support from festivals where the film was shown and from exhibitors who’ve seen it.
Internet users have until August 7 to finance the production of 35mm and digital prints for German theatres, and the manufacture and circulation of the DVD. If these goals are not reached, the film will nonetheless get distributed but its release date may be postponed.
(Translated from French)
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