Freigeist

What's this project about?

"Freigeist" is a ten minute short that can be categorized as a drama. It's compact, unpretentious and honest. What is freedom about? What happens when you release a wild animal that has been caged in for years? Can one find freedom in the gritty stomach of a pulsating city? How much disappointment can brother's love deal with before the bond breaks forever? These are just a few questions that make up the pillars for the idea behind "Freigeist". The film's protagonist Michael is confronted with those and even more problems. Let us tell you: the odds are against him.

What is our goal and who do we want to reach?

The insight in Michael's life is brutal, short and merciless. We will see everything and Michael is blinded by so much. A long term in prison has left him only with his instincts. He's been encased by violence and ruthlessness. No one wants to stumble upon this guy when he's roaming the gritty streets of Hamburg. Do you have an attraction towards anti-heros and deeply troubled figures? Do you prefer a catastrophy, rather than a happy outcome when a film demands icecold authenticity? Get all cuddly in your secure living-rooms and dive into a world of uncertainty.

Why should you support us?

Be brave and support something uncertain! We feel brave because we're approaching a difficult subject. Michael has always been on the edge of society. He does not solve problems, he gives birth to them. Anything could happen. We're telling a cruel story about someone who's always been surrounded by cruelty. Does he deserve what has happened to him? You decide that for yourself. It's life or no life for him.
A great deal of planning has been made in terms of visuality. Every shot must fit into a composition that delivers you with a clarifying insight into Michael's entity, but also mirrors Michael's view. His environment plays a crucial role in his downfall. The shoot covers many motifs and many locations. We need state-of-the-arch technology to capture scenes at night. We want to paint a picture with the industrial lighting of a grey and steamy city. Help us to achieve this!

What's the money for exactly?

Every cent will help to fulfill the challenges of this production. We need realistic costumes and make-up that displays the world Michael lives in but also leaves his victims in a fractured state. We need to secure the set! Paramedics, a stunt coordinator and teammates who make sure the people know we're shooting a movie. Our locations are mostly commercial during work-days so they need a pay-off. Logistics are crucial. We plan to shoot all over town. We need to rent a little truck that we can fill with expensive-to-rent equipment. Also, everybody who's involved in this project is working FOR FREE! We need to feed those amazing people who all decided to help us, because they are convinced by the story. Also: coffee!
You'll see, every euro/dollar counts!

Who's behind "Freigeist"?

"Freigeist" is our last film as students of a filmschool in Hamburg. Of course, this also is a calling card for us, the rest of the team and the actors, when we are being thrown in the German film industry after the completion of our studies in early 2016! Us, that is: Alexander Nickolai (Directing & Idea), Yannick Leopold (Directing & Script), Daryl Aiple (Production), Jillian Schmidtke and Lucas Pretzel (Camera) and Magnus Knaur (Editing). Over the past two years, we all have been involved in numerous productions working in various positions. It's time for us to pool all we've learned and create a satisfying film. We are aware of the challenges and will receive generous help from fellow students and freelancers who all work for the finished art and not for any money. In a world of money, loans and debts, you can be CERTAIN that this project consists of passion only. But can only be realized with your money! It's something oddly paradox, but that's everything at times. Even for an animal like Michael. You'll see.