An intimate cam session unexpectedly turns into a suspenseful, life-and-death situation.

Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Ivar Aase

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I wanted to depict the dynamics of a modern digital relationship and challenge perceptions of how care, sex, and transactional relationships are perceived. The film is part of a trilogy of short films centred around the digital sex worker Lotte.

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

Because it will warm your heart and increase your heart rate.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Complications is a story about friendship and humanity set in a setting not always associated with these themes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of looking beyond our roles and meeting each other as fellow human beings, even though it can be uncomfortable.

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

Complications actually started out as a screen-thriller akin to movies like "Searching", where a lot of the film would be happening inside Lotte's laptop – but we soon found out that the story is all about Lotte and Arne's relationship, and not the thriller-aspects of the film.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

A lot of great feedback! This one is my favorite, from the jury at The Norwegian Short Festival:

"Complications constantly surprised us with its portrayal of a very specific modern relationship between two incredibly well-developed characters, depicted with warmth, authenticity, and humor. We were pleased to see themes like BDSM and camwork presented on screen with such a human angle, and we delighted in the film's charming, multifaceted protagonist and its unexpected twists. It's rare to see a character navigate the journey through the Madonna/whore complex and emerge as a kind of BDSM Jesus."

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

I hope people have fun on our little rollercoaster - and talk about the ride with others.

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

Are feelings real in transactional relationships?

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

Me and my screenwriter Erik Ivar Sæther are currently working on a feature script about the character Lotte and similar themes we have worked on in the short films Transactions (2021), Complications (2023) and Reservations (2024).

Interview: January 2024

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Complications

An intimate cam session unexpectedly turns into a suspenseful, life-and-death situation.

Length: 13:45

Director: Ivar Aase

Producer: Ivar Aase

Writer: Erik Ivar Sæther

About the writer, director and producer:

IVAR AASE is a writer-director based in Oslo. His films have screened at multiple festivals in Europe, including Burden of Proof which was awarded at Interfilm Berlin 2022 and featured on Short Of The Week. In 2023 he won his second Golden Chair Award at The Norwegian Short Film Festival for Complications. It also won the Hour Glass Award, and will screen at Clermont-Ferrand and Slamdance in 2024.

Key cast: Anna Ladegaard (Lotte), Sven Henriksen (Arne)

Looking for: buyers, film festival directors, journalists, distributors

Facebook: Ivar Aase

Instagram: @ivarpinhead

Website: ivaraase.myportfolio.com

Other: IMDb

Funders: Norwegian Film Institute, Viken Filmsenter, Aftenposten

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Slamdance. Clermont-Ferrand