Interview with Cosima Frei, Director of the Short Film Wo Gömmer

First of all I was very touched. To watch this video of people discussing my work in a city almost on the other side of the world is incredible. The audience gave a very genuine and constructive feedback. Moreover I realised that this film, with a story set in the heart of Zurich, has a universal appeal.

The audience was very active and passionate during the discussion and this is wonderful. It is the magic of cinema to bring people together and engage in a story, no matter where on earth the story takes place or which language is spoken

– Director Comisa Frei, on the WILDsound Experience.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video from the Festival:

Matthew Toffolo Interviews Cosima Frei:

Matthew: Your short film played at our festival in 2013. How has it done since it screened? Has it played at more festivals? Distribution deal? Can it be seen online?

Cosima: After being screened at Wild Sound Festival, my short film “Wo Gömmer” has been screened in several more festivals from the US, to Austria, England and Hungary.

Here is the link: http://www.cosimafrei.ch/312941/directing

Matthew: What motivated you to make this film?

Cosima: This film was my bachelor graduation film at the filmschool, however I was completely free in the choice of the topic. I grew up in a very multicultural area in Zurich, which is now changing under the influence of gentrification. When I finished the basic education I went on for higher education while most of my classmates had troubles to find a job or an internship. At this point in life our friendships drifted apart and I realised that we will live in different socio- economic classes. This event in my life bothered me for a long time. I think in this film I wanted to give credit to a part of my youth and the neighbourhood I grew up in.

Matthew: From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Cosima: I wrote on the script for about six months and then we had around three months pre production. However, the shooting was only 4 days, which was a bit rushed.

Matthew: What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Cosima: The biggest obstacle was to find a believable and authentic actor for the leading role. It was hard to find amateur actors who would open up and really give in their time for this project. Most teenager I casted thought at first it was fun, but when they realised that acting and making a film is a lot of work and dicipline you have to put in, they pulled out.

Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?

Cosima: This is a really hard question..and my answer is probably rather embarrassing. It is “Titanic”. I was incredibly facinated by this movie at the time and on top like all the other girls I had a crush on Leonardo Di Caprio.

Matthew: What is next for you? A new film?

Cosima: After two years of working as an Assistant Director I am now back at film school doing my master in directing. This gives me the opportunity to shoot more short films and gain some practice. I just shot a short film which is now in the process of editing. It’s a tragicomedy.