Peer Review: Claas Ortmann

Who are three contemporaries that you admire?

Yorgos Lanthimos. His work is so fresh and strange, so clever and overwhelmingly entertaining. He’s proof that unique human creativity will always outshine the artificial. We should all fuel our own YorgosGPT.

I’d also have to mention Basel Adra & Yuval Abraham. The Palestinian/Israeli filmmakers recently won the Best Documentary and The Audience awards for their important film No Other Land at Berlinale. This piece of work perfectly showcases how powerful art can be, and I hope it gets a worldwide audience.

 Let the idea spread like wildfire - no one should work for free.

Finally, I would also mention my fellow directors Hanna Maria Heidrich, Elisha Smith-Leverock, Jessica Benzing, & Micky Suelzer, with whom I co-founded DRCT, the German directors association, which is now 240 members strong. At the beginning of 2024, we introduced paid pitches to the German market, in partnership with the Producers association. And it works! Let the idea spread like wildfire - no one should work for free.

Above: Trailer for Basel Adra & Yuval Abraham's documentary film No Other Land 

Please share 3-4 pieces of work that exemplify great direction.

Poor Things is a cinematic revelation. It's been a long time since I felt so enlightened and inspired.

I also adore Steve Rogers' Garage commercial for Cadbury. His ability to strip away distractions and focus solely on a small human story that seamlessly revolves around the product is truly masterful.

It serves as a compelling reminder of the significance of humour during times of extreme difficulty and advocates for a more compassionate future.

Ian Pons Jewell’s The World Can Work Better spot for Indeed is another excellent example of great direction. The brilliance of the first shot alone is remarkable. From the use of music, to the charming blend of humour and authentic drama, to the gradual buildup and reveal - it's all masterfully executed. The incorporation of a social message alongside these elements too really resonates with my creative drum.

Finally, I recently revisited Ernst Lubitsch's To Be or Not to Be (1942), one of my favourite comedies. It serves as a compelling reminder of the significance of humour during times of extreme difficulty and advocates for a more compassionate future.

What was your journey to becoming a director?

As a kid, I always loved Franco-Belgian comic books. My love then shifted to moving stories in the form of music videos in my teenage years, and naturally, MTV became my film school. I learned to spot directorial magic from names like Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, or David Fincher.

I eventually got my hands on a VHS copy of Pulp Fiction, and my fate was sealed. I begged my parents for a camera and Hi8-to-VHS editing tools and started making my own films. Watching 80s/90s movies and shooting films with friends became my favourite pastime.

Stay calm in the midst of multiple opinions and constructively argue for what you truly believe works. 

I eventually attended the renowned Munich film school, where I dove into making music videos and commercials, and subsequently found my passion for the short format. I’ve chased my passion for commercial directing ever since, and the love story is still going strong.

What is the most valuable skill you’ve learned in your career?

Staying calm in the midst of multiple opinions and constructively arguing for what you truly believe works. 

What do you like most about the work that you do?

The creative partnerships. Mutual trust in each other's abilities is the best way to achieve original and impactful results. A recent project I’m particularly proud of is my Philips Dilemma and Crown Jewels films that grew into so much more thanks to fantastic artistic collaboration.

What is one thing every director needs?

Resilience. And good weather gear. 

Mutual trust in each other's abilities is the best way to achieve original and impactful results.

Who was the greatest director of all time?

This answer changes everyday, but Billy Wilder always comes to mind. 

In the commercial realm, Jonathan Glazer also consistently ranks high. His body of work remains timeless and unparalleled. If it were released today, we’d still be in awe, captivated by his heart, humour, and breathtaking storytelling. Glazer continues to inspire me to this day.