For Offenbach-based filmmaker Mara Weinert, filmmaking is a natural extension of how she navigates the world. Through an evolving interest in documentation and animation, her recent short NÄCHSTER HALT: WIESBADEN OST, which appears on T-Port via our partners at HfMA, transforms real-life audio snippets into a playful, poignant animated world.
We caught up with Mara to talk bout about imperfect art, the joy of showing your work, and her current project: an animated series about birds on dating apps.
Hi Mara, would you please introduce yourself?
I’m Mara, a filmmaker from Offenbach. I started playing around with film and photography as a teenager and really got back to it at a more intense level when I started my Master studies at HfG Offenbach in 2022. Over the years I took part in different video productions, including music videos, short films and documentations. Lately I ended up combining the two genres I find most interesting: documentation and animation, focussing on non-scripted everyday conversations.
What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Doing art is my way of experiencing and understanding my surroundings and, at the same time, re-connecting with it through my art. I get inspired from what’s around me, mostly the people.
Do you have a philosophy behind your filmmaking?
I like pointing out the beauty, cuteness, humor and tragic of the ordinary. I don’t like set-up situations and perfection. I’m more interested in the imperfection, awkwardness, spontaneity and authenticity of people and situations.
If you could watch one film on a loop forever, what would it be?
Probably The Office, even though it’s not a film.
How did you first start working on this film?
I’ve always collected audio snippets of random people—not with a certain intention, but just to keep it in my “digital diary” in case I needed inspiration in the future. I’ve been playing around with audios I recorded in the pedestrian zone of Offenbach creating a music track, which I ended up not liking. But some months later I browsed through my stuff and found an old drawing of two octopus, so I decided to do a little animation.
How did the production process pan out for you?
Was a nice way to get back to After Effects.
What were the biggest challenges you encountered during making your film?
Asking myself if it’s morally okay to use strangers‘ conversations for my film.
Tell us about the visual choices in your film.
I didn’t really think much. I used the drawing that I already had and added some things, like the train, some fish etc., in the same style. I like that childish imperfect drawing style though.
What lessons did you learn through the process?
That showing your work to others is worth it.
What would you like people to take away from your film?
Enjoyment.
What’s next?
I’m currently working on an animation series about birds that experience online-dating fails.
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