12/08/2023

As we mark the last day of activities, it is almost impossible not to recap those that left us with good taste, and believe us, there were many. Not only films and discussions but also learning from the experience of those who have a lot to tell us, build the festival.

Such was the case of one of the master classes that were held in the Kino Klubi space, where producer Steven Lake shared with the attendees the pleasures and challenges of making documentary films in a world that thinks commercially.

"Even though I'm walking away from a very process that would have obviously been a very challenging process. And usually in my experience, the moment when the film has the most financing is not the end when you are in post-production. And the moment when you have the least support of money is when you are in development. So to come out or finish a movie and go straight back into development, there's kind of a brief shock factor involved, you know, it's like being plunged back into an ice bath having a little good time.”

This is how Lake started his master class, after asking the attendees what their role was in the filmmaking industry.

Then he continued and talked about the values that a film should have, unaffected by the conditions in which it is conceived.

"Developing our project, working with the director trying to break the back of how we can communicate this true story that in most cases has already happened and turn it into a piece of film that has some kind of educational value nourishing to it, but it's also in some capacity entertaining to watch or compelling to watch. Again, if I wanted to look directly at the facts of the situation or something that is unfolding. You know, I could write a Ph.D., but I think the documentary that you're giving a certain flair to a story that will soften it to the potential audience that's going to watch it.”

The master class of producer Steven Lake gave a closer and very practical sense of what it takes to make films, in a world that continues to consume every day.

By: Ana Haxhimali

Photo: Agon Dana