Cannes Bound: Panama Film’s Unconventional Approach to Storytelling

Panama Film, a Vienna-based production company founded by Lixi Frank and David Bohun in 2018, has established itself as a champion of innovative cinema. The company’s unorthodox approach to storytelling has made it a go-to partner for filmmakers who dare to be different.

One key factor behind Panama’s success is its ability to create a safe space for filmmakers to explore unconventional ideas and styles. Frank and Bohun prioritize creative freedom, which is evident in their collaborations with directors like Sebastian Brameshuber and Sandra Wollner. Their approach is refreshing, but also necessary in an industry that often prioritizes commercial viability over artistic risk-taking.

Panama’s fascination with auteurs who push the boundaries of storytelling is deliberate. Frank and Bohun are drawn to filmmakers who see cinema as a place of longing – a space where audiences can engage with challenging questions, lingering observations, and lost longings. This approach has yielded remarkable results, including Brameshuber’s “Movements of a Nearby Mountain,” which won the Grand Prix at Cinéma du Réel in 2019.

The name Panama itself is inspired by this concept of cinema as a place of longing. According to Frank and Bohun, their company’s moniker represents a faraway place that audiences can visit through film. This idea is rooted in Janosch’s German children’s book “The Trip to Panama,” which tells the story of characters searching for a mythical place called Panama.

Panama’s commitment to supporting experimental voices is crucial in an industry dominated by formulaic storytelling and cookie-cutter blockbusters. By backing filmmakers who take risks, Frank and Bohun are creating innovative content and fostering a culture of creative experimentation. This approach has significant implications for the future of cinema, where audiences will increasingly demand more complex and nuanced stories.

The success of companies like Panama suggests a growing appetite for unconventional storytelling among both audiences and producers. Films like “The Trouble With Being Born” (2020) and “Stams” (2023) have received critical acclaim and commercial success, indicating a shift in the industry’s priorities. However, this trend also raises important questions about the role of producers in enabling creative freedom.

As Panama takes its place on the Croisette with two films premiering at Cannes, it’s clear that this company represents a shift in the way we think about storytelling and the role of cinema in society. Frank and Bohun are cementing their reputation as champions of innovative cinema, but they’re also pushing the industry to rethink its priorities.

Panama Film is not just another production house; it’s a force that will continue to challenge the status quo in the world of cinema. Whether companies like Panama become the norm or remain outliers, one thing is certain: they are redefining the role of producers in enabling creative freedom and pushing the boundaries of storytelling.