Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Trust your actors' instincts. Sven Hönig's unexpected intensity in a pivotal scene brought authenticity and depth to the film.
- Independent filmmaking requires collaboration. Jens emphasizes the importance of feedback and cooperation throughout the production process.
- Avoid romanticizing the indie struggle. Jens highlights the necessity of fair wages and public funding to support artists sustainably.
This year at HollyShorts Film Festival, Jens Kevin Georg brings his latest work, Crust, to the big screen. Jens, a filmmaker with a background in comedy, explores darker themes in this short film, marking a significant shift in his storytelling.
The film features a talented cast, including Philip Kapell, Luise Landau, and Sven Hönig, with a dedicated crew led by producers Fritzie Benesch and Charlotte Jülide Hansen. Jens studied directing at Film university Babelsberg and is currently enrolled in the master’s program at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne.
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
I wrote Crust from a place of loneliness. Feeling like the odd one out, not being able to really fit in, I tried to reach out to the world looking for someone who might feel just like me. Especially coming out of the pandemic, I needed connection more than ever. And luckily enough, there were people out there answering.
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically?
There's a scene right after the midpoint in which father and son have an argument. Sven Hönig, who played the father Otis, came into the scene with a different intensity than what I had in mind while writing it. The whole crew was stunned, unsure what to make of it at first. I looked at my DP, confused, but we also both knew we felt something. Even though it was hard to pinpoint. Something real happened there. So we decided to trust Sven with this one. And in editing, we finally understood what he gifted us with.
"Sven Hönig brought a different intensity, and in editing, we understood the gift."
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
The last frame of the film represents how I see myself in the world. Also, shooting that was extremely intense and one of the moments I'm most proud of as a director. We planned to do it differently, but that approach didn't work out. So I had to override my analytical self and let my subconsciousness take over. My DP and I quickly decided to let the ending play out in one single frame. No safety-net shots for Post. The first take we shot, we instantly knew this was it.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
Cutting out the last line of the film. I will not tell you what it was, sorry, you have to ask in private! But that saved the ending. I have to thank my editor for being brave and persistent enough to go through with that.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
Avoid rollercoasters in the forest. Stay true to yourself. Listen to more Midwest Emo.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
I come from a comedy film background. With Crust, I allowed myself to explore darker themes and aesthetics and, together with my crew, played around with different genre conventions, mostly Horror. I think we were able to blend and contrast different tonalities, and I am looking forward to continuing growing there.
"With Crust, I explored darker themes and aesthetics, moving from comedy to a blend of Horror."
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for HollyShorts?
I can finally see my friends Ben, Hannah (director of 'Keeper', also in HollyShorts!), Aaron, and Robin again! There's an entire ocean between us, so that means a lot to me. Of course, I'm also super grateful to HollyShorts for the opportunity to show our film in Hollywood, our Mecca! This trip will be a pilgrimage for me. And I'm especially looking forward to this festival's program!
Where do you see this film going next?
I'm super proud that we were able to tell this story in 26 minutes. This is all the time we needed, so there won't be a feature for Crust. Also, our child actors aren't children anymore; they are teens now!
Concerning the next steps for our film: We already made the Oscar Shortlist this year and won a Student Academy Award. This is way more than what we could ever imagine achieving. Whatever comes now is a beautiful bonus.
Cast & Crew of Crust
Cast: Philip Kapell, Luise Landau, Sven Hönig, Heinz Wanitschek.
Crew
Writer & Director: Jens Kevin Georg
Producers: Fritzie Benesch, Charlotte Jülide Hansen
DP: Lasse Frobese
Editor: Benedikt Strick
Sound Design: Konrad Woznitzka, Larissa Kischk
Music: Felix Römer
Production Design: Linda Bruna
Costume Design: Frederik Britzlmair
Make-Up Design: Laura Wronkowitz, Hannah Weickert, Jana Erger
Casting: Lea Agmon
