Sebastian Sommer is known for his bold and introspective approach to storytelling. His latest work Dragon blends ancient mythology with artificial intelligence to create a cinematic experience unlike any other.
In conversation with 1883, Sebastian Sommer discusses his feature film Dragon, finding his voice, and more.
1883 Magazine: How has your life shaped your perspective as a filmmaker?
Sebastian Sommer: For me, my sobriety has helped me stay clear in my intentions. It opened up this ability to look inward and translate that into art. There’s no static in my head when I’m writing or directing anymore, there is just clarity. I think that’s where my voice really started to come into focus.
1883 Magazine: What’s something you didn’t expect about finding success in film?
Sebastian Sommer: A weird guy sent my mom an email once claiming to be in a relationship with me for 3 years… which is wild because I’m not into men. I just had to clear that up. I’m very happy with my girlfriend. I wasn’t expecting to be confronted with rumors and projection when I reached a certain level of success. I’m grateful to have a strong foundation and support system in my life. People start making stuff up about you and I don’t know who they think they’re kidding.
1883 Magazine: Let’s talk about Dragon. It’s visually distinct and conceptually abstract. Where did the idea come from?
Sebastian Sommer: Dragon was born out of an interest in myth. I’ve always been drawn to medieval imagery and archetypes, and I wanted to reframe that through something modern and almost dreamlike. The whole film plays like a meditation or a vision. I used AI in the process of generating the visual world, and that was part of the point: blending the human and the artificial, the ancient and the future.
1883 Magazine: How do you want audiences to engage with your film?
Sebastian Sommer: I want people to watch Dragon the way you’d sit with a dream after waking up. It’s less about the specifics of the plot and more about tone, memory, feeling. We’re so used to being told exactly what to think and feel in films, and I wanted to push against that. The movie creates a space, and you bring your own consciousness into it. That’s where the meaning lives.
1883 Magazine: What are some of your favorite films or directors?
Sebastian Sommer: I love filmmakers who create a world you can fall into, Terrence Malick, obviously. Harmony Korine was influential. James Cameron. But I also have a deep respect for filmmakers like Robert Bresson and Andrei Tarkovsky, who work with stillness and silence in a way that feels transcendent. There’s something spiritual in how they approach cinema, not just storytelling, but the act of watching. That’s what I chase in my own work.
1883 Magazine: What does filmmaking mean to you now?
Sebastian Sommer: Filmmaking is a spiritual process for me. I also think more commercially now. It’s not just about making something cool, it’s about capturing a vibration that resonates. I’m more interested in working with genre now and capturing truth. I want
1883 Magazine: You mentioned spirituality—how does that influence your creative process?
Sebastian Sommer: I see creativity as a channeling process. I don’t really feel like I’m inventing anything. It’s more like I’m tuning into something that already exists and just trying to stay open enough to catch it. I believe the more spiritually grounded I am, the more clear and meaningful the work becomes.
Dragon is now available to watch on VOD and streaming on Fawesome.tv
