Interview with Filmmaker Nathalie Kraemer (SUCKR FOR LOVE)

SUCKR FOR LOVE was the winner of BEST FILM at the October 2019 Experimental/Dance/Music Festival in Toronto.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Nathalie Kraemer: Originally I needed a music video for my next song release that wouldn’t cost a fortune and include many cast and crew. So I decided to make an animation in a very specific style that I wanted to do a long time ago and which also served as an homage to German film maker Lotte Reiniger from the 1920’s. It was important to me to create something meaningful and socio-critical as well.

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

From research at the Film museum in Duesseldorf to concept, storyboarding, production and completion it took me about 4 months.

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

Missing love

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

The biggest obstacle was time. Based on my production schedule I planned a deadline and booked the venue for my single release. Everything had to be ready for that date because a lot of people were involved, a night full of concerts, prizes to win and collaborations with small indie businesses so there was no way to move the date. What I didn’t factor in was the many retakes some scenes needed because of unforeseen small technical issues or the character animation just didn’t look great and I had to redo it. Closer to the deadline I had to work longer hours and faster and luckily my back was holding up from being bent over in a dark room all day. I literally rendered the movie up until the night before and I’d say the last 2-3 days were panic mode haha but I finished it on time.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

My initial reaction? I’d rather not say. 😉 I was present during the live screening and when the audience gave their feedback I felt myself tense up inside, sink into my chair, get into defense mode (I know it’s silly) and listen to the feedback. And the audience feedback was very positive and great!

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

The content of the film had to make sense to the lyric of the song since it was intended to be a music video for that specific song Suckr for Love. Since the song is about unrequited love I focused on the story of a girl trying to find true love in a time where people don’t have patience to get to know someone and instead just run off to the next person they see. Worked into the background paintings drawn by my artist friend Hannes Berg are environmental issues we are facing currently such as the plastic pollution in our oceans, the dying of the bees, carbon emission, etc.

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

Probably Disney movies as a child. I typically don’t watch movies twice.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I like FilmFreeway, they have almost all International festivals listed there and filtered search options to find whatever suits your film. Very easy to navigate the site and user-friendly.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Hard to say. I listen to a lot of music on repeat. Maybe Pink Floyd the division bell.

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

Yes. I am currently applying for funding for my next silhouette short about humans lost touch of nature and focus on indigenous stories.