Strings, a British film featuring at the upcoming Raindance Film Festival, is a drama telling a story of teenage angst and romance. That in itself does not sound particularly remarkable, but you cannot help but be intrigued when you learn that it was written, directed and produced by a teenager for the princely sum of £3,000. Strings is up for the ‘Best Debut Feature’ award at Raindance, which starts on 26 September.
Rob Savage, the writer, director and co-producer in question, had no background in the world and ways of filmmaking just inspiration provided by the London Film Festival and the dedication to slog away at a paper-round and other part time jobs to fund his creation.
The general gist of Strings, in the words of its writer, director and co-producer, is this;
“The film is a drama about a German exchange student who begins an impulsive and ultimately destructive relationship with a shy British boy in her final weeks before returning to Munich and her warring family. It was shot partly in German with a translator present (I do not speak the language) and partly in English, with an extended rehearsal period of structured improvisation around my original script.”
Savage believes that Strings could be an inspiration to fellow unconnected budding filmmakers; “Film education in the UK is being discussed at length recently and I think that Strings, above all else, proves that films can be made with very little resources or industry connections. Strings….won me a place on the renowned Berlin Film Festival Talent Campus, where I was mentored by filmmakers such as Werner Herzog and Mike Leigh.”
We think Strings is a must see for all supporters of British and independent filmmaking. So, yeah, go and see it if you can.
Strings is being shown at the Raindance Festival on 28 September and 02 October, further details can be found on the Raindance website: http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/index.php?id=596,8921,0,0,1,0
