17 km

The title 17 km alludes to the little-known fact that only a distance of 17 km of the 'Reichsautobahn' ('Hitler autobahn') was realised in Austria during the Nazi era, which calls into question the myth of Hitler as the guarantor of progress, industrialisation, jobs and highways. In this way, the film provides education about unknown facts from that time and works against the right-wing arguments that are still used to justify Nazi ideology.

The filming locations of these ruins of the NS-era have been left to decay and oblivion. Widely unnoticed by the public, yet carefully researched by the film team, they are located in Upper and Lower Austria, two provinces which are now governed by right-wing populist parties. Through inserts or additions to the film website, facts are provided that impede the neglect of the past.

The aim of the film is to raise awareness of the political connections between the past and the present and to creatively counteract forgetting. The places featured in the film are mostly unknown, often not even the immediate neighbours know about the buildings.

The film, which shows the Austrian variant of right-wing populism and its origins, is aimed at both a domestic and an international audience, as it refers to the strengthening of authoritarian tendencies and the shift to the right of conservative parties worldwide.
Four years after the Ibiza scandal, people in Austria have already forgotten that it took place. In polls, the incriminated party is currently even in the lead.

Remembering and political engagement consists of much more than a museum, a display board or a history lesson in school. Cinema also contributes its part to it.
We have successfully completed the filming and want to bring the great material to the screen and put it up for discussion.

If the funding is successful, we will be able to realise the post-production of the short film. Sound design, audio mastering, colour grading, animation and compositing should thus be completed in the second quarter of 2023.
The film will be presented at many different national and international festivals.