PLAY THE KEY REVISED, 4min,. Germany
Directed by Stefan Westphal
Play the Key is a self-produced, no-budget music video that visualizes a complex journey of resilience and healing. This song, part of our 2013 collection from [Former Drum & Bass Work PT.08 2013 – 2017], follows a protagonist grappling with deep personal challenges. Under relentless emotional assault from her close yet fractured surroundings, she discovers solace by "playing the key," which transports her into an epic, dreamlike world. In this alternate reality, she encounters the dandelion—a symbol of healing and renewal—that provides a powerful antidote to the cruelty she's endured since childhood.

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Get to know filmmaker Stefan Westphal & artist Christine Westphal

What motivated you to make this film?

Stefan: I was motivated to visually translate the aesthetic of the song into a minimalist and essential style. The concept was to work with a high number of cuts and develop an otherworldly, slightly disturbing scenery. Despite being new to filmmaking and having no budget, I wanted the visuals to feel energetic, mesmerizing, ethereal, and perfectly synchronized with the music.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Stefan: The entire process took approximately six months. During the audience feedback session, someone assumed the cuts were created using AI and even thought Christine was an avatar. Just to clarify: Christine is real, and there was no AI involved in this project! :)

I filmed Christine in numerous settings, capturing multiple takes during each session. After post-processing the footage - denoising, color grading, and enhancing the visuals - I meticulously reviewed each take frame by frame to select the best shots. The final video features around 1,000 cuts, all edited in DaVinci Resolve. Visual effects like burn marks, film burns, dust overlays, and film damage effects were added manually and timed perfectly to the music, creating a dynamic and handcrafted aesthetic.

Additionally, I included generated codes as a nod to our earlier music video, Here's To Them (2016), reflecting how our style has evolved while connecting this work to our creative path.

How would you describe your film in two words?

Christine: Energetic. Handcrafted.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Christine: The biggest obstacle was working with no budget, which required immense creativity and resourcefulness. Stefan spent countless hours setting up all 1,000 cuts manually - a painstakingly time-consuming process, especially as he was new to filmmaking. Learning DaVinci Resolve while diving into such an ambitious project was a steep learning curve for him, but he embraced it with the same passion and patience he puts into his music. Ultimately, the process was incredibly rewarding and pushed him to refine his visual storytelling skills.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Christine: We were incredibly excited! Hearing the audience's thoughts and interpretations was deeply rewarding. It's amazing to see how people connect with the work in unexpected and meaningful ways.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Stefan: My interest in filmmaking goes back to preschool when I dreamed of becoming an actor. Music entered my life when I was 12, and over the years, my desire to work on films resurfaced.

While music is already a full-time job, filmmaking allows me to combine my love for storytelling and visual art. The synergy between music and film is incredibly powerful, and I hope to explore it more in the future.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

Stefan: As a child, it was probably the original Star Wars trilogy and National Lampoon's Vacation. Later, I developed a deep appreciation for Stanley Kubrick's films. The ones I've rewatched the most are Eyes Wide Shut and A Clockwork Orange.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Christine: We'd love more support for our music project, Rawtekk, whether through listening to or sharing our tracks. We recently released our life's work as The Rawtekk History Collection and curated playlists on Spotify featuring music from other artists who inspire us.

If you're interested, you can find them: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0xm71yGST0B2oDYPDSnLN4?si=8d24e79a1f9b49ea

Stefan: Opportunities to connect with other filmmakers for creative exchange and collaborations would be invaluable. We've been working on our album Posthumanity for over three years, and it's a very serious project. We pour months into each song, doing everything ourselves - lyrics, composition, sound design, mixing, and mastering. Your support helps us dedicate ourselves fully to our art without needing to work for clients or brands.

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?

Christine: It's been a great experience! The platform is user-friendly, and the submission process is smooth and straightforward.

What is your favorite meal?

Stefan: Christine's amazing vegan, authentic Asian cooking—it's absolutely the best!

Christine: I didn't know you thought that! :D I love exploring the vibrant colors of plant-based eating, like purple sweet potatoes, red cabbage, and turmeric to name a few. I'm so thankful for the variety we have access to, and I'm endlessly fascinated by the science of how these foods affect the body on so many levels.

What is next for you? A new film?

Christine: We're planning more music videos! We've already shot footage for an older song called My Love, which we recently remastered and re-released as part of the History Collection.

Stefan: We'd love to create three videos for our upcoming album and are open to collaborating with other creatives. If our music inspires you, we'd love to hear from you or get your support!