Over the years, films and documentaries have been made on an about a whole range of topics, issues and people. The new feature from Zachary Capp called The Ringmaster is rather unique. Its focus is the onion rings from his childhood and the beloved chef – Larry Lang from Minnesota, who makes them. The film takes viewers on a journey as Zach works to raise the profile of his hometown hero, but then takes a turn as his crew turn the cameras on Zach himself, documenting the highs and lows of a three-year journey.
With the film set for release next week, PopWrapped are delighted to share an exclusive clip; one of the films’ highlights which comes in the form of Larry meeting world famous KISS guitarist Paul Stanley, and sharing some of the famous onion rings.
Asked about the inspiration to and behind the film, Zach says: “Making The Ringmaster was always a labor of love for me. My grandfather, Martin Capp, who was a philanthropic figure in the Midwest, always encouraged me to follow my passion and pursue filmmaking. After he passed away in 2015, I had just exited rehab for a gambling addiction and decided to use the inheritance he left me to start my own production company with my brothers. Every year of my life I was fortunate enough to visit Worthington in Southwest Minnesota where the other side of my family is from and we always paid a visit to see Larry Lang and have his world-famous onion rings. The Lang family is beloved throughout the entire Midwest and I wanted to pay homage to this incredible family and also to my grandfather. Over the course of the 3 years it took to make the film the story evolved and I found myself more concerned with creating a happy ending for the Lang family and I lost sight of the storytelling. The directors’ Dave Newberg and Molly Dworsky helped me see what I couldn’t see and showed me what the project could become.”
The relationship Zach has with the Lang family is a big part of what encouraged him to make the film, and he adds of that connection: “I have known the Lang family since I was a small child visiting my grandparents in Southwest Minnesota. I was always enamored by Larry and couldn’t get enough of his onion rings, which the masses would always come and have.”
As with any project someone takes on, The Ringmaster wasn’t without its challenges, the key one of which, in Zach’s words was: “..accepting what the project became and how the rest of the crew turned the cameras on me and focused on capturing my struggles making the film. This film required me to open up and be very vulnerable about my past.”
This film, no matter what others might think of it, was a labor of love for Zach and he is immensely proud of what he – together with his crew – have created. “Some might say I made this film the wrong way and that’s what makes it so unique,” he explains. “It evolved into a cautionary tale because I got too close to the subject of my film whom I felt deserved more. Larry Lang is one of the hardest working men I’ve ever met and I wanted to give him the honor he deserved.”
Watch our exclusive The Ringmaster clip below and be sure to check it out when it’s released via VOD on October 6th. Every purchase of the film will benefit Alzheimer’s research and more information about it can be found here.
