LILO
Short film | 30 minutes | Penny Lane Film | 2006
Cast: Ines Schiller | Paul König | Harald Posch | Anne Mertin
Director: Robert Passini
Cinematographer: Sonja Kilbertus
Sound: Richard Buzek
Costume designer: Caroline Strasser
Makeup artist: Sohmyla Yazdani
© Sonja Kilbertus
CONTENT
The prospective cultural manager Marc is on the best way to success: completing his law studies, granting a young company loan for his sound studio and contact to successful music producers – all he needs is the “star” to be marketed.
Then Lilo appears – a young woman with a unique voice and strong charisma. She is still singing in the streets. Already this evening she could do test recordings and sign a contract tomorrow. Everything seems to be going in Marc's favor; if only he could finally reach her...
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
“Lilo” tells of a possibility that is being forgotten nowadays: Someone gets the big chance that others wait and hope for all their life in vain, and decides against it. Because Lilo soon realizes: Marc is not interested in her as a person, but primarily in his chance for success...
In casting shows that aim to find the next big star, the wall between star and audience, between presenter and listener becomes increasingly thin. Young, committed people supposedly get their big shot at stardom. But instead of the individual values that make someone a star, being famous itself becomes the ideal they strive for in life.
“...you earn a lot of money and you don't have to cook your own food anymore...” Marc also entices with this offer. As an extraordinary, crazy student with a remarkably good voice, Lilo definitely has the potential to become a star - probably more than many others who apply for a casting on TV. But is there a way back once she has made up her mind? Does the encounter with Marc really show her path, or is it just one of many possible ones? Does singing still remain an expression of joy, or does it become an obligation? Lilo is, as in her whole life, caught between different roles she plays: the business student to the father, the crazy theater student to the professor that took a shine to her, the superstar to her audience out in the streets. She is insecure and fragile. Marc makes her an offer that could be interesting for her or that could break her.
The theme of the film is topical because it is important to reflect on the self-evidence of certain imposed values. The film is intended to encourage the viewer to reflect on himself or herself and the blindness of many actions. Marc stands alone at the end and is unclear what will happen. Like the viewer, he may start to reflect. Maybe now, maybe later.
TRAILER