Once

The film project "Once" is a tragicomedy that aims to illuminate the close link between humour and tragedy in life in a subtle and entertaining way. The film follows Lasse, who secretly longs for a partner but is unable to go on dates because of his fears and insecurities.
It is particularly important to me to show with "Once" that Lasse is superficially dismissive of the possibility of finding happiness. He hides behind excuses and statistics in order not to change anything in his life. Lasse feels lonely, misunderstood and insecure, and this loneliness extends not only to the lack of a relationship, but also to the fact that no one notices his innermost feelings.
Lasse is a searcher who longs for depth and hopes that other people can recognise his inconsistency. The paradox in "Once" lies in the fact that Lasse opens himself up to online dating, of all things, although it corresponds to the opposite of what he is looking for at the core. In doing so, we use the anonymity of the internet and the lack of emotional connection to other people as a contrast to what people might hope for and experience.
However, we show Lasse approaching online dating with extreme caution and mentally protecting himself from being hurt and rejected, both by friends and his date. His behaviour in the digital world is mirrored in his analogue life. In my personal environment, I observe an increasing normalisation of online dating and digital social interactions. It is often emphasised that it is a good way to find new people or potential romantic partners. However, I notice that it is often less about committing to one person and more about expanding possibilities and options. Unfortunately, this leads to a lot of rejections and trauma that often fades into silence and is not adequately acknowledged. It is a topic that has not been addressed enough in the public sphere.
The variety of options can make people less willing to commit to a long-term relationship and instead look for the next, supposedly better option. The rejection others experience as a result often ends in a silent emptiness.

I think it is important to talk about this silence and raise awareness about it. We should recognise the emotional impact of online dating and the importance of mindfulness and honesty in our digital interactions.

In our film "Once", I want to address this issue and address the silence that often accompanies online dating and digital social interactions. I hope that the film will help us learn to look more closely and develop more understanding and empathy for each other, because even a brief moment can resonate for a long time.
We want to take the audience on an entertaining and emotional journey that shows the complexity of human life and our relationships. The audience should feel this film, laugh and cry and be inspired to seek and value their own happiness.