Russia has launched an information war - introducing a new weapon. Hundreds of young Russians are producing fake news from fake profiles. And the fake stories are spread in the US and Europe with the purpose of sowing distrust and discord. But some brave Russian journalists are fighting back. Meet them in the documentary: Factory of Lies.

Interview with Director/Producer Jakob Gottschau

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I have made several films about social media and how they promote and corrupt democracy at the same time. When I got to know about the infamous Russian troll factory in Saint Petersburg, where young people for money male fake profiles and produce fake stories, I knew I have to make a film about this "new" phenomena.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You will learn in details how the Russian Troll factory operates, and which kind of fake stories they produce.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The universal theme in the film deals with democracy and how social media can be used to sow discord and division and disrupt democracy. And here is a personal story on how young Russian journalist (and troll hunters) try to uncover the activities of the Troll factory

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The film initially started with an investigative approach into the phenomena of the Troll Factory, But along the way, it became clear that several Russian journalists and activists tried to fight against the trolls, and then they came to the protagonist of the film.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I am looking for different kind of distributions channels, TV festivals etc

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

The film is finished, and I do have a distributor, but I'm still looking for festivals

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like the audience to reflect on social media and its role in our democracy.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How do you combat fake news on social media - and how do you educate the younger generation to maneuver in this new media landscape.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Different kind of issues: Internet trolls, Electroshock, and Greenlandic Rock Flour as soil improvement

Interview: April 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Factory of Lies

Length: 58:40

Director: Jakob Gottschau

Producer: Jakob Gottschau

Writer: Jakob Gottschau

About the writer, director and producer:

JAKOB GOTTSCHAU has produced and directed films about Social Media and its impact on democracy - most recently the movie Facebookistan and Factory of Lies.

Looking for: distributors, film festival directors

Facebook: Jakob Gottschau

Twitter: @gottschau

Hashtags used: #FactoryOfLies

Website: www.express-tv.dk

Other: YouTube

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? 6th International Documentary Festival of Ierapetra Awards, Crete, Greece July 2019; Sands Film Festival, April 2019; San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, May 2019