{"id":208883,"date":"2019-12-19T11:29:18","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T10:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/berlin030.de\/?p=208883"},"modified":"2019-12-19T11:29:18","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T10:29:18","slug":"das-leben-nach-dem-oscar-rausch-interview-mit-regie-hoffnung-patrick-vollrath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/berlin030.de\/en\/2019\/12\/19\/das-leben-nach-dem-oscar-rausch-interview-mit-regie-hoffnung-patrick-vollrath\/","title":{"rendered":"Life After the Oscar High | Interview with Directing Hopeful Patrick Vollrath"},"content":{"rendered":"

With his short film “Everything Will Be Okay,” Patrick Vollrath, 34, was nominated for an Oscar three years ago. The premiere of his graduation film from the Vienna Film Academy was previously celebrated in Cannes, followed by over 30 awards at international festivals. His feature film debut “7500”, a claustrophobic chamber drama about a plane hijacking, was invited to the prestigious Locarno Festival. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Hollywood star Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a pilot whose flight from Berlin to Paris falls into the hands of terrorists \u2013 the film’s title refers to the international distress signal for hijackings. [030] staff member Dieter O\u00dfwald spoke to the director.<\/p>\n

Mr Vollrath, even though the final step onto the winner’s podium was missing, how long does an Oscar high last?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Oscar high definitely lasted one or two years (Laughs<\/em>). In the industry in particular, the nomination had a lasting effect, opening doors for us, not least to Amazon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Ultimately, though, the screenplay is what decides: if Joseph hadn’t liked the material, all the awards wouldn’t have been much use. That’s also true with German film funding. The prize is all well and good, but in the end the whole package has to be convincing.<\/p>\n

Your university lecturer Michael Haneke once expressed his enthusiasm for “Everything Will Be Okay”. What does he say about your feature film debut?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Michael Haneke has so far only seen an early cut and said: “Very, very suspenseful.” He was particularly taken with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whom he hadn’t had on his radar until now.<\/p>\n

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Stress in the cockpit: Joseph Gordon-Levitt has to deal with terrorists. – Photo: \u00a9 Universum Film<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why did you choose an American star for your German thriller?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our film depicts a microcosm of terrorism through the plane hijacking; with an American character, this scenario becomes even more dramatic and suspenseful. The aggression of the hijacking at the cockpit door increases significantly once they discover the pilot’s nationality. Besides, Joe is one of the most exciting actors of his generation. Sending him through such an emotional tour de force was, of course, very appealing.<\/p>\n

Your “Everything Will Be Okay” star Simon Schwarz would certainly have suited the pilot’s uniform as well…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Absolutely, I had considered that too. But then I decided on Carlo Kitzlinger, who spent 25 years flying for Lufthansa before his acting career and knows the cockpit procedures professionally. Still, I didn’t want to do without Simon Schwarz altogether, so he lends his voice to the police negotiator in the film.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cinematic aircraft interiors are usually unrealistically large. How important was getting the dimensions right for you?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The cramped space was a crucial element for this story. That’s why we obtained an original decommissioned Airbus cockpit for the shoot and made only minimal alterations. Achieving credibility through realism was already my motto with “Everything Will Be Okay.”<\/p>\n

What did your cameraman Sebastian Thaler have to say about those working conditions?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sebastian actually had to do a lot of back training in preparation! (Laughs<\/em>) For him, the shoot was really hard work, and I don’t envy him for that. While he squeezed himself and the camera through the tight space, I could sit outside in a chair and watch everything comfortably.<\/p>\n