ÖTE, co-directed by Esra Saydam and Malik Isasis, is a love letter to the unique magic of solo travel and is now available on SOONER. The backpack film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival

Sooner Blog | Malik Isasis

The magic of solo traveling in "ÖTE" - The director interviewed by SOONER

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The film about Lela's trip to Turkey celebrated its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.

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Coffee, beautiful landscapes and spontaneous encounters - New Yorker Lela travels through Turkey with a backpack and inner peace, on her way to Armenia. Co-directed by Esra Saydam and Malik Isasis, ÖTE is a love letter to the unique magic of solo travel and is now available on SOONER.

The film celebrated its world premiere as part of the ACID programme at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and captures the fears and challenges women face in a male-dominated world. It highlights the difficult situations Hayat faces as a woman living on a boat with men for weeks at a time. Ultimately, however, POLARIS is a love story, not only between the two sisters, but also about female strength and perseverance.

ÖTE is more than a film about traveling alone; it celebrates crossing borders, both geographically and personally, and presents a fresh, encouraging narrative that reflects the spirit of exploration and discovery. Unlike typical stories about black women, ÖTE focuses on Lela's journey without falling into stereotypes. In the new episode of SOONERCAST, ÖTE director Malik Isasis explores the importance of diverse cinematic representations of black women's lives - beyond the "trauma porn".

"The dialogue is organic, the journey spontaneous, leaving you with the aftertaste of a perfect vacation." (Tribeca Film Festival)

A love letter to the unique magic of solo traveling.

We are delighted to welcome two up-and-coming talents from the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Adam Frag and Mandy Peterat, to our latest SOONER podcast episode. We talk to them about their short film STAINED SKIN - A fairy tale that metaphorically deals with the grievances in the fast fashion industry.

Adam Graf and Mandy Peterat | SOONER BLOG

STAINED SKIN - A fairy tale that metaphorically deals with the grievances in the fast fashion industry.

STAINED SKIN takes us to a dystopian textile factory where two young female workers, Alba and Samy, are integrated into the rhythmic beat of the machines.

New SOONER podcast episode: An interview with the directors duo from STAINED SKIN

We are delighted to welcome two up-and-coming talents from the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF in our latest SOONER podcast episode: Adam Graf and Mandy Peterat. Adam, born in Austria in 1995, has already made a name for himself internationally as a cameraman, while Mandy, born in Berlin in 1993, comes from a traditional family of tailors and transfers her passion for fine art and interior design to the world of film. Together they have created the short film STAINED SKIN, which is now available on Sooner.

STAINED SKIN takes us to a dystopian textile factory where two young workers, Alba and Samy, are caught up in the rhythmic beat of the machines. The story takes a mystical turn when Alba begins to tell the story of Nanami, a girl who lives at the bottom of the sea and is trying to free herself from enslavement. The film merges reality and fairy tale and metaphorically explores the abuses of the fast fashion industry. In their first directorial collaboration, Adam and Mandy have pushed the boundaries of their previous roles as cinematographer and production designer and, together with the magical animation of Andrei Ebinca, have created a visually stunning and profound narrative. 

In our podcast, we talk to Adam and Mandy about their journey into filmmaking, the creation and challenges of producing "Stained Skin" and their experiences at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. They give exciting insights into their creative collaboration and share their insights into the film industry. Listen in and get to know the two directors behind the scenes!

One of the hotspots for the next generation of filmmakers for innovative and inspiring cinema.

Discover more talents in our Filmuni Channel 

An in-depth conversation about decolonization and the world of props with Susanne Weirich and Robert Bramkamp

Robert Bramkamp & Susanne Weirich | SOONER BLOG

An in-depth conversation about decolonization and the world of props

Props play a crucial role in every movie, yet they are rarely consciously noticed - the big and small things on the set.

New SOONER podcast episode: An interview with the director duo from MAKE UP THE WORLD

In our latest SOONER podcast episode, we welcome the creative minds behind the docu-fiction film MAKE UP THE WORLD - Susanne Weirich and Robert Bramkamp. The duo has blurred the lines between film and visual art with projects such as the sci-fi film ART GIRLS and MAKE UP THE WORLD. In our interview, we find out more about their impressive collaboration and the artistic synergy that makes their work so unique.

MAKE UP THE WORLD is a unique blend of documentary and fiction that offers a deep insight into the world of prop houses and the work of prop masters. The film, which celebrated its premiere at DOK Leipzig, also deals with decolonization. Weirich and Bramkamp shed light on how the world of props functions as a mirror of the real world and reflects colonial and racist values. The directors explain why this topic is so close to their hearts and how they have integrated it into their film.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MY REVOLUTION: "The film takes work and the discussion about what it can still be and what role love can play in it very seriously." 

Find out more about their favorite movies on SOONER

Discover Susannes and Roberts film recommendations

In our podcast, Paul talks about his journey to film, studying at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, the inspiration for the movie "EVERYTHING HAS AN END," and the creative work with the collective Lunchbox Candy. Tune in to learn more!

Sooner Blog | Paul Scheufler

Director and student at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF

Paul's latest movie "EVERYTHING HAS AN END" is running on SOONER

In our podcast, Paul talks about his journey to film and studying at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF

Paul Scheufler, born in 1998 in Graz, Austria, is an up-and-coming director currently studying at the renowned Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. Paul showed an early passion for filmmaking and was able to create several fictional and documentary short films as a writer and director during a training in Film & MultimediaArt. These versatile talents also led Paul to the stage as an actor in youth theaters in Graz.

Paul's latest movie "EVERYTHING HAS AN END" is running on SOONER. The movie premiered at the Federal Festival of Young Film 2022 and was created during his studies at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. The film tells the story of Helen, a middle-aged woman who sells sausages from a mobile food stand. However, her customers ignore her until she decides to break out of her role. The film addresses issues such as precarious work situations and the pressure of societal expectations. Paul describes the film as a call to sometimes do something wrong and to intuitively listen to one's own needs. “Go Helen!” is not just a slogan, but a call for self-empowerment.

Next Generation: Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF

Discover more talents from the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF

In her documentary Me Time, Ayla Yildiz has created a moving documentary that openly addresses child-free living, idealized motherhood and the social pressure on women. In our SOONERCAST episode, Ayla describes the film in one word: “self-determination”.

Ayla Yildiz | SOONER BLOG

In the SOONER podcast, Ayla Yildiz talks about breaking taboos and self-determination.

In the SOONER podcast, Ayla Yildiz talks about the creation of ME TIME and why the topic of self-determination is so important to her.

ME TIME: Self-determination instead of motherly happiness? – A film by Ayla Yildiz

Ayla Yildiz has created a moving documentary with Me Time, which openly addresses child-free living, idealized motherhood and the social pressure on women. In our SOONERCAST episode, Ayla describes the film in one word: “self-determination”. This central theme runs like a red thread through the stories of the six protagonists, who talk about personal experiences around abortion, unwanted pregnancy, sterilization, regretting motherhood and life without children.

In the SOONER podcast, Ayla Yildiz talks about the creation of Me Time and why the topic of self-determination is so important to her. She explains how the choice of words – “childless” vs. “child-free” – can strongly influence public perception and why it is important to remove the taboo from topics such as regretting motherhood.

Ayla emphasizes that she not only wants to spark a debate with Me Time, but also create space for reflection: on the freedoms and rights women should have in relation to their own life choices. Especially in times when conservative voter flows are on the rise, she sees it as necessary to further strengthen women's self-determination. Ayla also shares her reading recommendations on the topic in the podcast and introduces her curated SOONER channel.

Discover the curated movie selection of Ayla Yildiz

Ainara Vera, director and editor from Spain, has quickly established herself as an up-and-coming personality in filmmaking. In the SOONER podcast, we discuss Ainara's feature film debut POLARIS.

Sooner Blog | Ainara Vera

Spotlight on mothers and sisters: POLARIS director Ainara Vera joins the SOONER Podcast

The intimate portrait of two sisters between the high seas of the Arctic and the south of France premiered at the Cannes Film Festival

Ainara Vera, director and editor from Spain, has quickly established herself as an up-and-coming personality in filmmaking. In the SOONER podcast, we discuss Ainara's feature film debut POLARIS. The documentary film tells the story of Hayat and her sisters Leila. The older sister is an experienced captain who sails through the Arctic, navigating far away from people and her difficult youth in France. When her younger sister Leila gives birth to a baby, it promises a new beginning for her family - a chance for a better future for the next generation. We witness the sisters' worlds turn upside down, each on a deeply personal journey. In our interview, Ainara reveals how she gained the sisters' trust to accompany them in the most intimate moments of their lives.

"Polaris is a masterpiece." (abusdecine.com)

In the SOONERCAST, Laetitia Masson talks to Sebastian Urzendowsky about her work and her new film SUMMER FROST (with Clémence Poésy), which will soon be shown on SOONER and promises to be an extraordinary film experience.

Leatitia Masson | SOONER BLOG

Laetitia Masson talks to Sebastian Urzendowsky about her work on the SOONERCAST.

Laetitia Masson's new film SUMMER FROST (with Clémence Poésy) will soon be shown on SOONER.

SUMMER FROST: When love and power are put to the test

Laetitia Masson's new film SUMMER FROST (with Clémence Poésy) will soon be shown on SOONER and promises an extraordinary film experience. The film shows in a poetic and visually stunning way how ten strangers meet during an unusual cold spell in summer in France. These encounters, imbued with intense emotions and self-reflection, paint a haunting portrait of the human soul. In an episodic structure, Masson interweaves themes such as loneliness, love and the search for connection against a surreal backdrop.

In SOONERCAST, Masson talks to Sebastian Urzendowsky about her work. The interview was held in French, the subtitled version can be seen on YouTube. She sees her films less as political statements than as in-depth explorations of the human condition. Although she does not see herself as a feminist filmmaker, her characters are often lonely figures in search of love, which they confuse with attachment. A central motif in her films is the triad of love, work and money. SUMMER FROST (with Clémence Poésy) impressively embodies these profound themes.

On 09.09. SUMMER FROST will be screened at Cinema Paris in the presence of Laetitia Masson. This special screening offers a rare opportunity to experience the film on the big screen and meet the director in person. Listen to the full interview on SOONERCAST to find out more about the background to this fascinating work and Masson's world of thought. Stay tuned for the launch of SUMMER FROST on SOONER soon.

Discover the curated selection of films by Laetitia Massons

The documentary One Hundred and Four by Jonathan Schörnig offers a unique insight into the reality of civil sea rescue on the world's most dangerous escape route.

Jonathan Schörnig and Clara Richter | SOONER BLOG

The documentary ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR by Jonathan Schörnig offers a unique insight into the reality of civil sea rescue on the world's most dangerous escape route. 

The documentary One Hundred and Four by Jonathan Schörnig offers a unique insight into the reality of sea rescue on the world's most dangerous escape route.

ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR: An Interview with Director Jonathan Schörnig and Crew Member Clara Richter

This route claims thousands of lives every year. In the first half of 2023 alone, nearly 2,000 people died in the Mediterranean as the European Union's border policy systematically violates existing rights. Jonathan Schörnig was affected by the lack of awareness on the issue and decided to bring a sea rescue to the screen as a real-time documentary, using footage from a journalistic project. His goal was to show how agonizingly long it takes to rescue 104 people from a sinking boat. The film follows the action step by step from multiple parallel cameras. The situation becomes even more dramatic when the Libyan Coast Guard appears and the rescued must wait at sea for days with the crew as no Mediterranean country allows them to dock. Only after a severe storm threatens the ship does a port finally open its gates, offering the exhausted and desperate people refuge. The real-time documentary has received numerous awards, including the "Golden Dove Feature-Length Film" in the German Documentary Competition at DOK Leipzig 2023, the "Leipziger Ring Film Award," the "Goethe-Institut Documentary Film Award," and the "ver.di Award for Solidarity, Humanity, and Fairness." Additionally, the film was awarded the "It's All True – Best Feature Film" at the International Documentary Film Festival São Paulo 2024.

Einhundhundred Four is more than just a documentary – it's a powerful testament to human strength and solidarity. Through the experiences of Clara Richter, a dedicated crew member on the rescue ship Eleonore, the urgency of sea rescue is made strikingly clear. The film not only depicts the hardships and dangers of rescue missions but also the unwavering determination of those who risk their lives to save others. The interview with Clara and Jonathan, conducted by film and theater actress Sabin Saeed Ritter from Berlin, offers deep insights into the unimaginable challenges and special moments of the production. Learn more in the SOONER interview. Listen now!

“I have put together a selection of films from Sooner that show the topic of flight in its various manifestations. One film alone is not enough to look at the greatest social challenge of our time.” (Jonathan Schörnig)

Discover Jonathan Schörnigs curated Channel on Sooner

Malte Wirtz is a German director and writer celebrated for his unconventional filmmaking approach. After graduating in 1999, he has worked as a theater and film director, collaborating with various theaters in Germany. His films are characterized by their unique, playful, and experimental nature, often incorporating audience interaction and creative techniques, including shooting entirely on digital platforms. Wirtz is known for his pioneering methods, such as influencing actors through text messages during filming, a concept he expanded on in "Digital Life," a film entirely shot on Zoom Video Communications. He introduced #ZOGMA, a new digital-only film genre, establishing himself as a trailblazer in German indie cinema.

malte-wirtz

A German director and writer celebrated for his unconventional filmmaking approach

And what is his new, purely digital film genre #ZOGMA?

Why does Malte Wirtz send his actors text messages during filming?

Malte Wirtz is a German director and writer celebrated for his unconventional filmmaking approach. After graduating in 1999, he has worked as a theater and film director, collaborating with various theaters in Germany. His films are characterized by their unique, playful, and experimental nature, often incorporating audience interaction and creative techniques, including shooting entirely on digital platforms.

Wirtz is known for his pioneering methods, such as influencing actors through text messages during filming, a concept he expanded on in "Digital Life," a film entirely shot on Zoom Video Communications. He introduced #ZOGMA, a new digital-only film genre, establishing himself as a trailblazer in German indie cinema.

DAS BÖSE IM WALD: The "German indie machine" Malte Wirtz turns to horror and does it so successfully that the audience left the cinema hall in fear.

Find out more about Maltes movies on sooner

Toni Karat, artist and filmmaker, talks about their path into the film industry, inspired by the feminist Pornfilmfestival Berlin

toni karat - meltingpoint images

Fag Dyke/non-binary filmmaker, photographer in Berlin

Toni talks about their path into the film industry, inspired by the feminist porn film festival.

Toni Karat, non-binary artist and filmmaker from Berlin.

Toni Karat, artist and filmmaker, talks about their path into the film industry, inspired by the feminist Pornfilmfestival Berlin. After attending, Toni made their first short film on their own and taught themselfs film techniques, successively acquiring all the skills required for a feature-length film. In their own works, they deal with queer realities of life, self-love and criticism of patriarchy, focussing on the greatest possible authenticity and an unbiased view.

Toni's latest film, NARCISSISM - The Auto-Erotic Images, explores the intimate look in the mirror, accompanied by interviews about gender, narcissism and self-love. In 2022, the film won the Best Documentary Award at the Pornfilmfestival Berlin and 5 other documentary film awards. In the exclusive SOONER interview, Toni also discusses the challenges of filmmaking in Germany, such as current complex funding structures and bureaucratic hurdles in the production of the new documentary film, and would generally like to see more support for bolder, more experimental projects, as well as from marginalised communities, in order to promote diversity and justice in the film industry. Toni's film work reflects a commitment to self-expression and overcoming creative barriers. More info: https://meltingpointimages.wordpress.com/

POSTCARD TO DADDY - "Authentic insights into abysses that only those affected can provide, priceless!" (Toni Karat)

Into the Wild Mentoring From the soccer club, to the stage in the theater, to behind the camera. In a SOONER interview, Hamburg director Justina Jürgensen talks about her impressive career as a director and about sexism and heteronormativity - and not just in soccer.

Justina Jürgensen - Into the Wild Mentoring

Hamburg director Justina Jürgensen talks about her impressive career as a director in the SOONER interview.

From the soccer club, to the stage in the theater, to behind the camera. 

From the soccer club, to the stage in the theater, to behind the camera. In a SOONER interview, Hamburg director Justina Jürgensen talks about her impressive career as a director and about sexism and heteronormativity - and not just in soccer. 

In 2006, during the World Cup, the young Justina was gripped by soccer fever. There was no girls' team, so she played with the boys at the club. As a young adult, she admitted to herself that things weren't looking particularly rosy for women in professional soccer - and so she focused on her other great passion: acting and theater. As an assistant director in the theater, she was gripped by the desire to tell the stories herself one day.

The dream became reality: in 2017, she began her studies at the University of Television and Film Munich and is working on her own films as a director and writer. Her film WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON BETWEEN US, FUCK?, which is also available on SOONER, is set in the world of women's soccer and is about a lesbian love affair in the team. Again, it was the World Cup that inspired her, so she is currently developing a series about the world of women's football. This time, however, she takes a harder line with the sport: she believes that sexist structures should be burned at the stake. 

Unfortunately, these exist not only in sport, but also in the film industry. The Into The Wild mentoring program is working to combat this. By providing targeted support for young female talent in the industry, like Justina, the aim is to ensure greater diversity and fairness in the industry. Justina is grateful for the mentoring program, as it encourages people to support each other and form bonds instead of elbowing their way through. Because like soccer, film is a team sport!

Justina is a political person. One of her favorite films is the DEFA film DIE MÖRDER SIND UNTER UNS - a post-war film in which the filmmakers understood and reflected on the atrocities that took place shortly after the end of the Second World War and dealt with the question of German war guilt in shattered Berlin. She is concerned about the shift to the right and sees a responsibility among artists to take a stand against it.

The entire interview is now available for you, as well as Justina's curated film recommendations. Listen in now!

Into-The-Wild-Mentoring is a one-year mentoring program for female filmmakers from all film schools in Germany.

Discover films of other Into-The-Wild-Mentées

Isis Rampf's journey into the world of film began with film screenings for children, which she organised during her year of voluntary service. Her studies in media studies and directing at the international film school cologne, as well as her work as an assistant director, laid the foundation for her career as a director. The passion she saw in the children's eyes still drives her today and motivates her to make films herself.

isis rampf

During a voluntary social year Isis discovered her love of film. In her roll as a director she enjoys create space and visibility for art and culture.

Which she experienced both during the INTO THE WILD mentoring program and while working on her documentary ALLESANDERSPLATZ.

Isis Rampf talks about the positive power of community in this episode of the Sooner Cast.

In our SOONERCAST, Isis Rampf talks about her experiences with the Into The Wild mentoring programme, in which she is working on her new project GEFÄHRTINNEN. The programme gives her the chance to write material while being supported by a dramaturge and a mentor from the industry. The positive atmosphere, which is characterised by mutual support rather than competition, and the prospect of forming a strong network for the future with the other mentees are factors that the up-and-coming director particularly appreciates.

In her film ALLESANDERSPLATZ, Rampf delves into the topics of community, collective work and urban society. The documentary, which deals with the long-empty Haus der Statistik on Berlin's Alexanderplatz, focuses on social housing, open spaces for art and culture and poses the question of how the city can be designed in a sustainable and community-oriented way. It thus addresses issues that have great social relevance far beyond the city of Berlin. In the new podcast episode, the Into-The-Wild mentee talks about the genesis of the project, the conceptual basis of the film and Isis' path to the House of Statistics. Listen in now!

DREISSIG - "A story that captivates me without a hero's journey and tells of not getting anywhere." (Isis Rampf)

Find out more about her favorite movies on SOONER

Pia Frankenberg explores the uncertainties around us as she leans into the chaotic confusion of life without drawing set-in-stone conclusions. After first making two short films, she made two feature-length movies then released her last feature as director, "Never Sleep Again", in 1992. It is fair to say that her storytelling has retained relevance and topicality thanks to the frictions she addresses in her work where the personal and political collide. SOONER is showing all 5 Pia Frankenberg films, and spoke to her and released the interview on Soonercast.

pia-frankenberg

As radical, rebellious and provocative, as light-footed and hilarious as no other.

Then she put the camera aside and preferred to write novels. We asked Pia Frankenberg: Why?

In the 80s, she was one of the most exciting filmmakers in Germany. Then she put the camera aside and preferred to write novels. We asked Pia Frankenberg: Why?

Pia Frankenberg explores the uncertainties around us as she leans into the chaotic confusion of life without drawing set-in-stone conclusions. After first making two short films, she made two feature-length movies then released her last feature as director, "Never Sleep Again", in 1992.

It is fair to say that her storytelling has retained relevance and topicality thanks to the frictions she addresses in her work where the personal and political collide. SOONER is showing all 5 Pia Frankenberg films, and spoke to her and released the interview on Soonercast.

Discover the unique Pia Frankenberg retrospective

Why do people make films? Why do we need festivals and why do fathers always sneeze so loudly? We discussed these questions and others with the filmmaker Sophie Linnenbaum. Sophie Linnenbaums interest in social issues was awakened early on by the strong regional patriotism of her home region - keyword: annual bratwurst summit. She studied psychology and worked as a playwright before beginning her film studies at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.

sophie-linnenbaum

Award winning Interfilm-Veteran with an inquisitive look at the human species and the social system.

We discussed these questions and others with the filmmaker Sophie Linnenbaum.

Why do people make films? Why do we need festivals and why do fathers always sneeze so loudly?

Why do people make films? Why do we need festivals and why do fathers always sneeze so loudly? We discussed these questions and others with the filmmaker Sophie Linnenbaum. Sophie Linnenbaums interest in social issues was awakened early on by the strong regional patriotism of her home region - keyword: annual bratwurst summit. She studied psychology and worked as a playwright before beginning her film studies at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. Her cinematic works combine her greatest interests - an inquisitive look at the human species and the social system and the possibility of creating narrative mirror worlds; with a penchant for humour and playfulness, her films illuminate the trials and tribulations of the human cosmos without losing sight of the characters.

Her touching (short) films such as PIX (German Short Film Award 2017), DAS MENSCH (2019) and VÄTER UNSER (2021) have won several awards and screened at numerous national and international festivals, like the Interfilm Festival in Berlin. Her first feature film THE ORDINARIES had its international premiere in the main competition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and was awarded the Förderpreis Regie at the Munich Film Festival and won the First Steps Award for best feature-length film. Sophie's list with her own films and her film recommendations can be found at Sooner.

The Moviewaffler: "BLOODY MILK is as tense as any neon lit urban thriller."

Find out more about Sophies favorite Movies on Sooner!

Discover Sophie Linnenbaum's curated Channel!

ALINA YKLYMOVA was born in 1990 in Meiningen in what was then the USSR, grew up in Turkmenistan and grew up in Hesse. Since then, she has felt at home everywhere and nowhere. These different cultural influences have shaped her unique perspective on storytelling. With a passion for film and television production, her professional journey began, encompassing various fields and artistic projects. However, she found her true calling when she decided to study directing at the renowned Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.

alina-yklymova

And what characterizes her artistic approach?

How did Alina Yklymova find her true calling in filmmaking?

ALINA YKLYMOVA was born in 1990 in Meiningen in what was then the USSR, grew up in Turkmenistan and grew up in Hesse. Since then, she has felt at home everywhere and nowhere. These different cultural influences have shaped her unique perspective on storytelling. With a passion for film and television production, her professional journey began, encompassing various fields and artistic projects. However, she found her true calling when she decided to study directing at the renowned Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. 

The two films "Störenfrieda" and "Kurschatten", which were made during her directing studies at the Film Academy, are co-productions with Arte and SWR. Both films premiered at the Max Ophüls Prize 2022 and were subsequently shown at various national and international film festivals. "Störenfrieda" became part of the AG Kurzfilm catalog and won various prizes. Among others, the prize for the best film at the "Bundesfestival Junger Film 2022" and the "Innovation Award" at the "Autorenfilmfest Filmzeit" in Kaufbeuren. Her artistic approach is characterized by her ability to approach abstract and theoretical questions from a sensual and visual perspective. In her films, she creates original worlds which, despite their uniqueness, have a connection to reality. She achieves this through thorough research and attention to detail. Furthermore, empathetic and profound characters are important to her in order to give her films a philanthropic character.

"The jury was irritated and impressed at the same time." (Perspektive Deutsches Kino)

Discover also Alinas' film recommendations

Tamara Denić, who had to flee to Germany from the war in former Yugoslavia as a young child, is an up-and-coming director whose work reaches far beyond national borders. With her film ISTINA, which won a Student Oscar in 2023, she brings individual stories with a universal character to the screen.

tamara denic

Feminism, refugee and film making: Interview with Into The Wild mentee Tamara Denić

"We are far from reaching the 50 per cent."

Tamara Denić, who had to flee to Germany from the war in former Yugoslavia as a young child, is an up-and-coming director whose work reaches far beyond national borders. With her film ISTINA, which won a Student Oscar in 2023, she brings individual stories with a universal character to the screen. The film, partly shot in Belgrade, tells the moving story of a photojournalist who has to escape right-wing violence.

In the latest episode of the SOONER podcast, we talk to Tamara Denić about her experiences in Into The Wild mentoring, a mentoring programme for young women in the film industry. Her conviction that feminism continues to be of great importance and must be intersectional reflects not only in her perspective on the film industry, but also in her films. These deal sensitively with the female experience of danger and threat and are now available on SOONER together with Tamara's curated film recommendations.

NUR EIN FREITAG by Sarina Laudam and Jacqueline May

Philippe Grégoire is a Canadian film director and screenwriter from the small village of Napierville, Quebec, whose debut feature film The Noise of Engines (Le Bruit des moteurs) was released in 2021 and is shown on Sooner. Philippe shares some insides how Noise Of Engines was created - a quite personal and nostalgic movie that was shot in his hometown with its inhabitants that love car race. The film received three Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022, including a Best Director nod for Grégoire and the John Dunning Best First Feature Award.

philippe-gregoire

A Canadian film director and screenwriter from the small village of Napierville, Quebec

We spoke to him about these questions and his connection to his home village of Napierville.

Why did Philippe Gregoire want to become a filmmaker and why does he love car racing?

We talked with him about his motivation to become a filmmaker and what inspires him. Growing up with very open minded parents he had the chance to study film and started his first projects together with his friends influenced by Cinéma québécois which is part of the québeque culture. Of course we were very curious about his favorite films on sooner - listen in and find out which films he picked and why :)

HUMANITÉ - a film by Bruno Dumont, who is nominated with his film L'Empire at the 74th edition of Berlinale (Competition)

Find out more about Philippes favorite movies on sooner

Discover also Philippe Grégoires curated Channel!

Director Eva Neidlinger believes there is power in filmmaking - the power to make a difference. You can hear how she found her way from nursing into film, which also took her through Lviv, in the SOONERCAST interview with her. The Into The Wild mentee has had a good relationship with Ukraine for a long time.

eva neidlinger

Making a difference is in Eva's blood. She found her start in nursing to now bring light to difficult topics as a filmmaker.

And what was Eva Neidlinger's path from nursing to film?

Director Eva Neidlinger believes there is power in filmmaking - the power to make a difference. You can hear how she found her way from nursing into film, which also took her through Lviv, in the SOONERCAST interview with her. The Into The Wild mentee has had a good relationship with Ukraine for a long time. Through friendships from her youth, she has often traveled to the country and has been dealing with politics long before the total invasion in February 2022. Her documentary FORTUNA VALENTYN about the local politician Valentyn was completed shortly before the start of the large-scale war in 2022 - he believes in a democratic and corruption-free future for Ukraine and has therefore been involved in the city council of his Ukrainian hometown since the Maidan protests. When he needs a break, he tries to cross the Black Sea in a kayak he built himself. Today he is a soldier on the front line.

Eva thinks that there is far too little knowledge about Ukraine among the German public. Since the Russian invasion, most people associate the country exclusively with war. In the interview, she explains that Ukraine should not be simplified and talks about her collaboration with the strong Ukrainian civil society. While she has repeatedly taken a critical look at Eurocentrism in her career, feminism is also an important influence for her. This is one of the reasons why she is grateful for the INTO THE WILD mentoring program, in which she can grow together with other women from the industry and stand up for a fairer society. Her tool for this is film. You can now stream FORTUNA VALENTYN and Eva's recommendations as a SOONER curator on SOONER.

FAREWELL HALONG - "The thematic superstructure speaks volumes, even though, or perhaps precisely because, Duc has remained so super close to the people." (Eva Neidlinger)

Discover Evas' curated Channel and film recommendations

The camera and directing duo Sarina Laudam & Jacqueline May live and work in Cologne. Sarina completed her Bachelor's degree in Director of Photography at the International Film School Cologne and Jacqueline studied communication design with a focus on directing at the University of Applied Sciences Aachen. Together they realized their first joint film project in 2021 and founded the FLINTA* network Female Filmmakers Cologne the following year. They are currently working on their debut film as an author duo in the INTO THE WILD mentoring program.  They talked to us about filmmaking, their film NUR EIN FREITAG and their favorite films on SOONER.

sarina jacqueline

Founders of the FLINTA* Network Female Filmmakers Cologne

And how does the INTO THE WILD mentoring program work?

What is it like to found a filmmaker network?

The camera and directing duo Sarina Laudam & Jacqueline May live and work in Cologne. Sarina completed her Bachelor's degree in Director of Photography at the International Film School Cologne and Jacqueline studied communication design with a focus on directing at the University of Applied Sciences Aachen.

Together they realized their first joint film project in 2021 and founded the FLINTA* network Female Filmmakers Cologne the following year. They are currently working on their debut film as an author duo in the INTO THE WILD mentoring program.  They talked to us about filmmaking, their film NUR EIN FREITAG and their favorite films on SOONER.

BOY:  "An eye-opener for an unfree world and a devastating look at the system that does not accept gender beyond male or female."

Discover Sarina's and Jacqueline's curated Channel

ELINE GEHRING began her career in 2006 as a camerawoman and editor for German reporting in Paris, Prague, Kiev and Berlin. She shot a documentary for the German Bundestag in St Petersburg and worked for Deutsche Welle in Cairo in 2008. Her stations also took her to South Africa, where she spent a year in 2011 shooting short films, documentaries and social commercials for NGOs. In 2016, Eline began work on her feature film debut NICO, which she wrote, directed and edited.

eline-gehring

Viewing the world through the lens of a camera awakened in Eline a desire to make films that focus on women.

And about her path to film, which has taken her to St. Petersburg, Cairo and South Africa, among other places.

Eline Gehring talks to us about her favorite films.

ELINE GEHRING began her career in 2006 as a camerawoman and editor for German reporting in Paris, Prague, Kiev and Berlin. She shot a documentary for the German Bundestag in St Petersburg and worked for Deutsche Welle in Cairo in 2008. Her stations also took her to South Africa, where she spent a year in 2011 shooting short films, documentaries and social commercials for NGOs.

In 2016, Eline began work on her feature film debut NICO, which she wrote, directed and edited. NICO is screened at over 50 film festivals and nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2022 German Film Awards. NICO is later included in the German shortlist for the Oscars.

In 2022, Eline directs the season of a series on public television and has been developing her second feature film since 2023, with which she completes her directing studies at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB). As a mentee of the INTO THE WILD programme funded by SOONER, she shows us some of her favourite films alongside NICO.

"I think (Zora Rux`) films are uncompromising and courageous."

Discover also Elines' film recommendations

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