LAND MASS, 48min,. UK
Directed by Jenni Roditi, Sara Pozin
A new kind of liturgy is about to begin… a Land Mass. This is a spontaneous, vocal-visual liturgy for the land, sung by a unique choir, The Improvisers’ Choir, conducted by composer Jenni Roditi, who is creating her conducting directions as the improvised music is sung.

http://www.theimproviserschoir.com/landmass
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Get to know filmmaker Jenni Roditi:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

It was the producer Jaka Skapin who motivated me. I had made the recordings and was thinking of an album release. Jaka, a young professional vocal improviser was also helping me with the promotion of the music project. He said he knew a Slovenian film maker who would enjoy making images to the music. He then introduced me Sara Pozin.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
4 years. I applied for funding from Performing Right Society Foundation for the music recording in February 2018. We recorded in July that year. I finished cutting/curating during 2021 lockdown.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
May I used four? Poetic Vocal-Visual Liturgy

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle was myself. I was playing several roles and while I knew what I wanted I have a tendency to over think things when something simpler will do much better! I spent quite a lot of my time thinking how I could clarify and simplify.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I thought they were very respectful and considered. There was a nice balance of spontaneous honesty and well thought- through commentary.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I didn't really.. I'm a musician and the film has come out of that in 2018 when I discussed it with Jaka Skapin.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Better for me to say what music have you heard most in your life? Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments. I used to have it on repeat in my bedsit when I was a student...

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I am considering your other offers which look to be an extension of what you offer beyond the audience feedback. I think you've thought it through well.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I think the FF platform works very well, but I have been caught out a few times with what I can only call 'fake film festivals'. I've now found a professional advisor who knows which ones are genuine so I always check with her first now. Her name is Rebekah Louisa Smith and she calls herself the Film Festival Doctor. She's brilliant.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Grilled salmon, salad and baby new potatoes.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Next for me will be a new composition of mine being performed in November, a composer website designed (long overdue!) and promoting my project Vocal Tai Chi for a 2025 Apprenticeship training here in London .