INTERVIEW with Otwin Biernat
Can you explain to the audience your career?
I studied drama in Vienna, worked at the theatre as an actor, assistant director and director. In Berlin, Istarted making movies and music videos. So far, I did two feature films and many short films. I worked for TV channels like Aljazeera English and I gave film directing lessons and projects in different schools and at the University of Fine Art in Foggia.
How many years have you been making movies?
17 years.
Why did you start making movies?
I wanted to make movies since my age of 15. But I wanted to be an actor. Later, I found my passion for directing.
Tell us a little about your project. What will the audience be able to see in your film?
Dead End (AusWeg) is an experimental feature. It is a satirical drama with weird black humour. So far, the audience at film festivals in different countries found my hilarious and also touching. Because the film has a very serious topic and serious moments. The film is not about suicide, it is about self determination.
Why did you do this project?
This project was done by me because I wanted to create something distinctive and unique. And I think it turned out pretty well. At least all the awards give me credit.
One of the problems some directors encounter is directing actors and dealing with some actors, especially in the amateur world. How do you see this topic? What kind of work do you do with them?
I studied drama, one of my strengths is to lead actors and to get the best out of actors. I love working with them and they enjoy working with me because I understand them. I like to give them a lot of freedom. But every actor works differently. Some need very clear guidelines and commands, others enjoy improvising. The most important thing is to make actors feel comfortable. Then you get the best results. For my film DeadEnd, I only had to deal with myself as an actor (laughs).
A good movie takes care of all departments. But normally we can not allocate all the resources to have a good photography or spend a lot of money on sound post production or budget to hire actors. In your project what % have you allocated to. I don't just mean money but time as well. Of 100% of the time/money, what % did you dedicate to each department?
In my latest project, DeadEnd, I did everything my myself. DeadEnd is the first feature film that was done by only one person. That makes this film so unique. That's why it took me 5 years to finish it. But I can tell you one thing for sure: I spend by far most of the time with post-production.
If you could go back, what would you change about this project? (1 thing only)
Now, years later I would reshoot the entire film. On the other hand, there are scenes that could not be better.
What are you happiest about this project?
I am very happy that I finished the film and that it has won so many awards.
Make a wish to the movie gods. What do you ask?
Give me the opportunity to make all the film projects that I have in line.
What movie would you have liked to direct?
Oldboy
What kind of cinema do you like? Genre, directors, actors?
OMG, there are too many. I can only name a few. I like Thomas Vinterberg, Chan-Wook Park, Ulrich Seidl, Susanne Bier, Gaspar Noé, Anders Thomas Jensen, Sorrentino, Lanthimos, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, etc. Furthermore, I like dark humor, black comedies, satires, dramas, horror and fantasy films. I like unconventional ways of storytelling. I like Old Boy, Adams Apple.
Imagine that all the movies are going to be lost. If you could save 3 movies, what would they be?
The Great Dictator, Dancing with Wolves, Braindead
If you have more projects underway, can you give us a bit of information?
I have a few projects planned, but first I have to write the screenplays and get them financed. So, I don't want to say too much. I can only say that I want to shoot a film in the USA, another one in Mexico, and one in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.