'Endgame' in Germany’s largest prison

Documentary by MORITZ WULF
GER, 52 min., HD, stereo

With

Troupe "AUFBRUCH" (Break out), Inmates of prison Berlin-Tegel  and ROLAND BRUS

20 long-term jailbirds from 8 nations are performing a play by BECKETT in the jail in Tegel, Berlin. They have been rehearsing for 4 months with the director ROLAND BRUS. Inspired by the play, they have kept video-diaries, drawing parallels between the play and their lives. The latter range from childhood and the experience of freedom, via jail and isolation, to possible futures.

What use are friendship, hate and love when alone behind bars, and what use are pride, violence and humiliation there? At what point does the reality of jail – the daily experience of violence and forced passivity – become part of this performance?

At the wish of the filmmakers, these jailbirds were allowed to have 60 minute sessions with a video-camera in their cells. This permission had never before been given in Germany. The resulting video diaries, grouped in terms of themes together with rehearsals and performances, are touchingly candid. Thanks to them this film is a unique, thrilling and surprisingly sensitive portrayal of jail life.

Team

A film by MORITZ WULF 

Camera: HEINER BOBKE, RENÉ DAME, Sound: MICHAEL LAUBE, Montage: ADAM HUSSEY, Soundtrack: TERRANOVA, Commissioning editor: JÜRGENHEIMBACH, Producers: UWE DIERKS, THOMAS GRUBE

A BOOMTOWN MEDIA Production
in collaboration with THEATERKANAL/ZDF/3SAT

World sales by BOOMTOWNMEDIA INTERNATIONAL