Messages from the animals - Otter Love
Interspecies communicator Elke Duerr takes us on a journey to explore the world of sweet water otters.
Interview with Writer/Director Elke Duerr
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made Messages from the Animals - Otter Love to act as a bridge between the animals and the human animals, as a voice for the voiceless. As an interspecies communicator, I constantly run into animals who would like to talk to me and relay a message or messages for my fellow human beings. Hence, I started a series of which the pilot project is Otter Love. Episodes about wolves, bison, bees, snakes, birds, bears and many more will follow.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You were a child once who loved nature and the animals and maybe you still do. If so, there are many things you can do for the particular animals inhabiting the area where you live and ensure our mutual thriving on this planet. You talked to animals and other species. I am reminding you of what is possible.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We, humans, are disconnected from all other life forms on this planet. We are separate. This is not how it is supposed to be that fear and separation rule our interactions with other species. If I can do it, you can do it too and find your place back at the dance of life.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
For some of the episodes, but not for Otter Love. This one has been standing since my experiences with the otters. I have been telling this story for quite a while. Now it is available in visual form, which takes the viewer and listener to another level.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Wonderful feedback! Thank you to every body! People told me right from the beginning that I need to tell this story visually and share my experiences with others in video form and when the composer saw it, he immediately came on board and when the editor heard the story she immediately was game for a whole series.
It has been great and inspiring for me and I feel that it will reach many people. We are ready for a different kind of relating to our brothers and sisters from the animal nations.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has not necessarily surprised me but challenged me big time to get over my own shyness and false humility as an interspecies communicator and lover of all life. I like to challenge the status quo and here I have found my chance to tell a new story of coexistence, communication and love.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am looking to achieve more visibility for Messages from the Animals. On a personal level, this means I am out of the closet as an interspecies communicator, on a broad level the time is NOW to turn our treatment and engagement with animals around to a more equal, fearless and loving way. All we seem to do is see them as commodities who can be exploited, even for film and still photography "material" while we still approach them in a fearful way. This has to end!!!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Anybody and everybody willing to take us to the next level with our project.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I aspire to the audience opening their hearts to the animals and wild lands and remember who they truly are. To have a spiritual opening so to speak and get inspired to come out with their love, care and concern for other life forms. For example, when building a house on pristine land, we generally tend to think just about ourselves and the view, the value of the real estate and not about the original inhabitants of this earth who are suffering from our humancentricness and are losing their homes. I would like for people to wake up and see the impact they have on others and that coexistence and care are possible. It is not just about us humans, it is about ALL OF US.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What are your fears and preconceived notions about (wild) animals living in your area and are you willing to look at them from a new vantage point? Are you willing to include other life forms and the earth in your lives and decision-making process?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for this opportunity from the animals and I to get the word out and write a new story.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
A film and outreach project entitled I love myself. It starts with loving ourselves and then goes towards the earth and other life forms. If we bully ourselves, we bully others and the earth.
Interview: May 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
Messages from the animals - Otter Love
Interspecies communicator Elke Duerr takes us on a journey to explore the world of sweet water otters.
Length: 15:55
Director: Elke Duerr
Producer: Elke Duerr
Writer: Elke Duerr
About the writer, director and producer:
ELKE DUERR is an award-winning filmmaker, interspecies communicator, author, visual and oral storyteller, interspecies communicator, fiber artist, photographer, workshop presenter, and the founder of the nonprofit Web of Life Foundation, W.O.L.F. Elke loves to debunk myths and preconceived notions about our animals and the natural world and revolutionize the way we see and experience nature.
Key cast: Elke Duerr interspecies communicator, sweet water otters
Looking for: buyers, producers, film festival directors, journalists, distributors, sales agents
Instagram: @elkeeduerr
Hashtags used: #otterlove, #interspeciescommunication, #series, #messagesfromtheanimals
Website: www.elkeduerr.com
Funders: Self-funded, crowd-funded.
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? At film festivals around the globe.