'Je ne sais quoi:' A cinema revolution

"Je ne sais quoi"
The movie "Je ne sais quoi" got its world premier Monday night at the venerable Ritz Theater in Minneapolis. It will then screen another 11 times in the coming week.
Photo courtesy of Cinema Revolution/Keegan Wenkman

A Minneapolis filmmaker is hoping to create a new movie financing model with his new film.

John Koch made an off-beat romantic comedy called "Je ne sais quoi" for just $5,000. It got its world premier at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis Monday night, and will run for 10 days.

Most new films just get one screening before moving on, but Koch hopes to build an audience through word of mouth.

Koch said he saves money by presenting the film at a proscenium theater instead of hiring a movie theater.

"The economics of it all works out very well for both sides. My guarantee affords me the luxury, probably of being able to cover it in the first couple of nights. And then hopefully to be able to recoup some of my expenses in the screening to follow," Koch said.

Koch said there is even a chance that if audiences are good enough he could pay off the entire production costs. He then hopes to take the film to other cities and use the same approach.

He is already planning his next film, which will go into production in 2009.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.