Tendon, 13min,. USA
Directed by Jannik Ehret
Recovering addict Rene sees a creature poison the city's water supply and has to convince his skeptical sister and her no-nonsense boyfriend to stay away from the tap water.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I grew up in Germany from where Los Angeles always felt like a mythical place in another world. Through a street racing video game I was first introduced to the LA river; a concrete channel that splits Los Angeles in such a crude and inorganic way. At the time I thought it was an invention of the game designers. Why else would there be a perfect drag racing track going right through the city. Ten years later, when I first saw the LA river in person, I became enchanted by its otherworldly existence.

My parents are spiritual teachers. Witnessing their clashes with "the regular world" has forced me to contemplate the role of "the real" in our emotional lives. To an extent, the "real" is irrelevant if its effect is tangible. The fear we feel from the monster under the bed is happening regardless of the presence of the monster. With that in mind, people should treat the fears of others, no matter how otherworldly, with empathy. Tendon is the merging of my love of sci-fi, the LA river, the homelessness epidemic and my take on the deep seeded fear of not being believed.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you

to make this film?

I played around with the script for about five years. Once I landed on something I liked it only took about a month to get the project to the editing stage. Sound designing and composing was tricky since the film lives between genres but after another 4 months the project was done.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Truth, Paranoia

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

Shooting the sewer set in my garage. The actual build was pretty easy and cost less than $100. The main sewer pipe was a pre-built element we got from a movie set recycling place. The other materials I had collected while finishing up the script. Working with the finicky monster build and limited space was challenging.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking

about your film in the feedback video?

Due to runtime constraints, there is a lot of context that is hinted at but never fully brought to the forefront in the film. This opens the film up to interpretation so hearing some of the viewers' perspectives was enlightening. One viewer felt like the movie made a big picture commentary on the use of water as a political tool in our current world. Interesting...

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I've always felt like I had more interests than time to pursue them all. At the end of high school, when it felt like I had to make a career choice, I chose film because it would allow me to explore the most amount of interest indirectly through the lives of fictional characters.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Love, actually (2003). And by a long shot. It was my family's Christmas movie. As much as some like to hate on how corny it is, I actually think it's quite clever and charming.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other

festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking

career?

I already love this festival's format but I do wish the feedback video contained a section of critique. As encouraging as the positive reviews are, giving the viewers space to express confusion or constructive criticism could be helpful.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your

experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Working well!

10. What is your favorite meal?

Schinkennudeln. A German dish with spaghetti, cheese, ham and eggs. Maximum comfort food.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I'm looking for funding for a feature documentary about a rock climber and a short film about a cow that grows a hand and (allegedly) writes college admission essays for shy teenagers.