2016 AIFF interviews with the filmmakers
Through Daewit (Däwit), illustrator-animator David Jansen is an exponent of expressionism with a positive twist. His classic hero’s journey tells the story of an abandoned child, Daewit, who grows up with wolves after his mother had rescued him from his violent father. The aftermath of physical abuse naturally has the boy on a quest for identity and self-worth. Regardless of the inscrutable trials and tribulations, Daewit takes positive steps forward and finds peace and forgiveness.
Jasen drew his inspiration from a picture novel book, “The Face of Hamburg” by Frans Masereel. He animated the film using the wood cut technique — a process where an illustrator starts with a block of wood and carves an illustration on it, make prints, and then creates a computer animation of the prints. Jansen animated the scenes and a 2nd illustrator, Sophie Biesenbachm, added the detail.
The 19 Annual Arpa International Film Festival (AIFF) has nominated Daewit for a Best Animated Short Film award. This film has been screened worldwide. The 2016 AIFF will screen Daewit on November 5 at 12pm at the Egyptian Theatre. As a part of a series of interviews with category nominees, Jansen answered the following questions.
Why did you choose to make your film?
I created the storyboard and the script at the end of my studies at film school. Before I left the school, I wanted to make a film that really meant something to me on a personal level. I thought this might be the last chance to do so. Fortunately, it wasn’t. In the first place, there was the idea to make a film that takes place only on an island. Some of the plot I had in mind for years, but I was busy with other projects. The idea of the hero’s journey developed later while working with Sophie Biesenbach. In opposite to my other films, I wanted this one to deal with forgiveness, rather than accusation.
Name a moment during shooting that made you proud.
Being proud is the wrong term for me; but I love the fluttering fabric right in the beginning of the film. I’m always happy when I create pictures that tell me more than what is obviously visible. This fluttering fabric for instance has a quiet contradictory thing to it – soothing and threatening.
Was there an “Aha moment” while making your film?
Yes. It was the first time for me to work chronologically with a storyboard. My earlier works were more of an intuitive, day-to-day approach, without key frames or such. Funnily, working with a storyboard and animating in order made me nervous, even though it should be the other way round. And when Däwit (the main character) is standing in the crowd in front of the OUI TOURS billboard I thought, wow, apparently it is working out, it’s gonna be a film.
Was there a bizarre moment that happened while making your film?
Well, the whole time of production was quite bizarre. The studio I started to work in is located in a former shopping center for the Belgic troops that were stationed in cologne. There are a big variety of people working there. One neighbor was editing his documentary he had shot in India, so I was hearing Indian music from that side all the time. In the other room there was a guy with his sound studio, producing techno all night. In between there was noise from the construction site, as the other rooms were renovated and walls were moved. In the big hall, there were groups of people practicing archery or indoor golf. Sometimes at night, it was a bit spooky when homeless people looked for shelter in the building.
What is y
our favorite scene?
I think it might be the airship journey. The angel isn’t much of a help, because it doesn’t know the way either. When it smokes a cigarette and has to cough, it accidentally kicks the cat off the airship with one of his wings. Däwit is jumping after the cat in order to rescue it.
What is your favorite line?
Well, there are no lines. Only sounds people do is the whistling grim reaper and the coughing angel. It’s funny, isn’t it?
What does it mean to have your film selected as a category nominee by the Arpa International Film Festival?
I’m very happy about the Arpa IFF nomination. So far, I’ve only heard great things about this festival. Also, since I was a child I was dreaming of visiting L.A. I have not made it so far, but Däwit did!
Daewit (2015) | 15 min. | Animated Short | Germany
Be sure to check out the trailer and buy tickets today!
Written by Sharon Swainson
Communications & Development Director
2016 Arpa International Film Festival