It wasn’t long ago that I interviewed Rob Savage regarding his up and coming film career, where we discussed his short film projects as well as his up coming debut feature film ‘Strings’. Shot over two years ago, ‘Strings’ is a coming of age tale about a German exchange student who begins a destructive relationship with a quiet British boy within the last weeks of her time spent in the United Kingdom.
The great thing about ‘Strings’ is the success it has already received and it is still yet to be premiered. The 2012 Raindance Film Festival is where you can see it first, and not only is it being shown at the prestigious London film festival, it has also been nominated for Best Debut Film. This is an achievement for any film-maker, but even more so for four 18 year olds with no film background, who created ‘Strings’ in their local British county of Shropshire with a small budget of just £3000, raised by Rob Savage through paper rounds and other various jobs as a teenager.
The Raindance Film Festival was established in 1992 by Elliot Grove. This was an extension to the Raindance Film School which has seen many leading talent pass through, including Christopher Nolan (Batman Trilogy) and Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead). Films such as ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and Nolan’s ‘Momento’ have been premiered at the annual London Raindance. Could ‘Strings’ follow the success trend that surrounds the festival?
‘Strings’ is partly filmed in German (a translator was present during the German scenes), the rest being in English. It was inspired by a German Drama called Requiem which led to Rob contacting the lead star, Sandra Hüller. Sandra encouraged Rob to create this feature, later becoming a mentor in the project and also having an acting role. Up against five other debut films from across the globe, competition will be tight, yet just having the nomination is a prize in its own right.
You can learn more about the other nominated motion pictures over at Raindance’s official website.
