The final film viewed was perfect to end a late night, with the North American premiere of Build a Ship, Sail to Sadness.
Director Laurin Federlein was in attendance and helped the audience understand what really happened behind the scenes of this quirky film that evokes Borat interviews. These interviewees, however, were well aware they were being filmed, despite the feel of hidden cameras as Magnus Aronson’s character implores them to accept the idea of a mobile disco in the Scottish Highlands.
Federlein was drawn to the desolate area and intrigued by the people, who didn’t seem to care at all about his production (and have not seen the results -- he’s sure they’ve already forgotten about it). Half of the interviews were prearranged, but the rest were spur of the moment.
He began this as a film school project on video and ultimately shot it with Hi8 home video because he enjoyed the pathetic quality that so suits the main character. And at times the image is quite grainy and hard to look at, but I don’t think that will prevent this film from become an underground favorite. It’s just too damn funny.
Review coming soon