The Story of Net

Acclaimed director Lasse Nielsen tells coming of age story

THE STORY OF NET is the result of a community project which Nielsen initiated in Thailand.  A group of young people in a small Thai  village were encouraged to tell stories from their own life and the  lives of other villagers.  From these stories, Nielsen wrote a  screenplay, and then directed the movie, using only people from the  village as both actors and crew. The co-director/cameraman, Bancha  Khemngeun, is a village man with no previous film experience.  He also  plays the role of the Father.  Original music and songs for THE STORY  OF NET were composed by Chiang Mai university student, Danaikrit  Inthurit.  This is his first film score.
 
The entire film was shot on a consumer Sony HDV camera with minimalist  accessories. A photo tripod without fluid head. Sound was recorded  with a cheap shotgun mike attached to the camera. For Living Films  Post it was an interesting challenge to take on the online edit, color  correction and sound design. The resulting master is surprisingly  clean and cinematic.
 
Lasse Nielsen’s first feature film, LA’ OS VÆRE (LET US BE), was  nominated for a Golden Bear at the 1975 Berlin Film Festival.  That  film was followed by MÅSKE KU’ VI (Maybe We Could) in 1976 and DU ER  IKKE ALENE (You Are Not Alone) in 1978 ¬ all written and directed by  Lasse Nielsen.
 
The project was initated by Lasse’s long time friend, film producer  Gerry Herman. Meeting up with Lasse during a visit to Thailand in early 2008,Gerry, realized that it’s time to put Lasse’s talent back into use. He bought a little camera, gaveit to Lasse with the words: “Make a film”. While Gerry expected a short film, Lasse went on to write, produce and direct a full-length  feature film with a budget so low that we don’t even want to mention it.