The Car Spotter (Bilskådaren)
Peo loves spotting cars. It gives his everyday life a little twist. It’s also a hobby that is about to ruin the most important thing he has. The Car spotter is a film about the small choices in life that have big consequences.
Interview with Writer/Director Martin Sandin
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Me and my friend film photographer Viktor Annerstål where driving home from a shoot when we saw a man sitting in a fold-up-chair in his garden by the road watching the traffic... That scene and all the questions that sprung up sparked something in us that became The Car Spotter.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It's warm witty story about love, cars and the small things in life that have big consequences.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
What is important in life and why? What should we believe in and how do we give our life meaning? I believe the small things sometimes are more significant than we first understand. Question is, what do we do with them when we find out? The things we do and why are themes running through all my work.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We cut out a character that didn't fit with how the story developed. It's was hard but necessary to focus on our main story. The relationship between our three characters and their struggles with love, life and spotting cars.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Overwhelming feedback. We had a (closed) theatrical premiere for cast, crew, family and friends. Mats, Ann-Sofie and Björn were all thrilled with the result. That's always a great feeling when the cast thinks the film is good. Then we've got a bunch of reviews saying very nice things.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback always surprises me. I'm always very nervous before showing it to the cast and crew and before the first couple of reviews. It's almost impossible at the end of post-production to know if the film is good, bad or great. This time we got it. I'll work with that feeling until next time.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To find distributors and film works to collaborate with.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We'd love for it (obviously) to have a great premiere at a film festival that we can go to and be part of. The cast is 65 years+ with a timeless energy that I hope can be interesting for journalists. We need to start seeing talent and passion before labelling people old, young and so on.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The one we got. It has impact on people who have seen it. Makes them smile and think about there own life and relations. We've submitted to some interesting film festivals. What we're hoping for now is a premiere that gives The Car Spotter a little festival shine.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is your everyday life worth when everything is put on the point of no return? Film is about love and the longing to be part of something bigger than yourself regardless of how old you are. People want what people want and there is no numbers taking that away.
Would you like to add anything else?
The Car Spotter will give you a warm feeling that lasts.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Our next film is about a dysfunctional relationship between a mother and daughter. The only thing that keeps them together is the the husband/father. Suddenly he dies, leaving the mother and daughter to solve their problems or break up the family.
Interview: December 2022
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
The Car Spotter (Bilskådaren)
Peo loves spotting cars. It gives his everyday life a little twist. It’s also a hobby that is about to ruin the most important thing he has. The Car spotter is a film about the small choices in life that have big consequences.
Length: 13:30
Director: Martin Sandin
Producer: Open Shop Film
Writer: Martin Sandin
About the writer, director and producer:
MARTIN SANDIN is a writer/director. Martin’s work in film typically leans towards drama and realism. When writing he’s drawn to subjects such as identify and confirmation and the great impact they have on modern society, asking the questions like; Why do we do the silly little things we do?
OPEN SHOP are filmmaking duo Martin Sandin & Viktor Annerstål. Martin is director and screenwriter. Viktor DoP and editor. We believe in making a difference through stories. Let’s do it together.
Key cast: Mats Qviström (Peo), Ann-Sofie Kylin (Birgitta), Björn Andrésen (Lennart)
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, sales agents and distributors
Instagram: @openshopfilm, @bilskadaren_film
Hashtags used: #Bilskådaren, #The Car Spotter, #Martin Sandin, #Viktor Annerstål, #Ann-Sofie Kylin, #Mats Qviström, #Björn Andrésen
Website: www.openshopfilm.com
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Film is fresh out of the box. So far the only festival we submitted to is Göteborg Film Festival (mot interesting Swedish film festival).