A FILM BY ROLAND WEHAP

Roland Wehap / Austria / 30 minutes

Synopsis

Roland Wehap is an accomplished director. Unfortunately, he notices between his colleagues and himself a quite embarrassing difference: nobody knows his works! How could he manage to make a multi-awarded film in worldwide festivals and go down in History?

Let’s reassure everyone: the Crocodiles never used Little Croco Festival to spotlight their own works; we never incorporated films we took part in, together or separately, in our selections. Did the idea however originally cross our minds?... That’s all it took for us to feel personally targeted by this zany sarcastic comedy, through several scenes that aim a little too accurately!

« A Film by Roland Wehap » is hilarious, and will speak to anyone who already got involved in a penniless shoot (or any other independent creation). Humour here occurs on many levels. A consistently funny text that does a series of gags (“As bad as it sounds, I need a film crew.” / “I stopped drinking champagne for weeks.” / we cannot quote all the ones we like, but it flies all over the place). Burlesque on-screen, especially via characters (who are more portrayed than really acting— a pity: we would’ve liked to see them more in action, for instance on the shooting, because the film finally talks less about the creation phase than about what’s before and after it). Quite generous visual diversifications regularly thrown around. A good (occasional) use of AI, which is rare. Even the end-credits keep you entertained.

Bit by bit, the audience will surprisingly note subtler elements. Example: the editing makes a smart parallel between gathering people to build a complete filming crew, and the numerous ingredients one assembles and cooks for a recipe. In the same vein, the exuberant side you’ll get accustomed to (or even will anticipate) melts into a last part where the pace wanes a little, in order to end with a more serious hidden-narrative; the humour then darkens, giving an unexpected depth to the whole thing.

Conclusion

What film would've been better to end our reviews-section? With such a theme, the Crocos could nothing but relate. We back up!

O.N-P.

« A film by Roland Wehap » joins official selection for the Little Croco Festival’s third edition, nominated in the Comedy category.

Trailer: