GOOD NEWS
GOOD NEWS
Feature Film, 75 minutes , black and white, 2024
The journalist Leo hopes to finally make an international breakthrough with a report about a rebel group in Thailand. His friend Mawar helps him make local contacts. In return, Leo promises to support him in starting over in Germany. But when the editors sending him the photographer Julian without asking, Leo becomes increasingly entangled in a web of lies and morally questionable decisions.
The journalist Leo hopes to finally make an international breakthrough with a report about a rebel group in Thailand. His friend Mawar helps him make local contacts. In return, Leo promises to support him in starting over in Germany. But when the editors sending him the photographer Julian without asking, Leo becomes increasingly entangled in a web of lies and morally questionable decisions.
Awards
Award for social relevant Film on Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis 2024
Festivals
Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis 2024
Achtung Berlin Filmfestival 2024
Lichter Filmfest Frankfurt International 2024
Directors Note
In September 2019 I took part in a student exchange program in South Africa. There, while preparing for a documentary, I came across an unexpected area of tension: the short film was supposed to tell the life of a black familymother who, as a cleaning lady, commutes back and forth daily between a white gated community and her township. I quickly realized that I would need local support to make the film. Due to lack of money, I worked with friends in Johannesburg. But on my first trips to the township, where crime is to be expected, I found myself in an ethical dilemma: Should I expose my friends to possible dangers for a film? Can I use the trust of my private relationships for this project? When do I abuse relationships?
In September 2019 I took part in a student exchange program in South Africa. There, while preparing for a documentary, I came across an unexpected area of tension: the short film was supposed to tell the life of a black familymother who, as a cleaning lady, commutes back and forth daily between a white gated community and her township. I quickly realized that I would need local support to make the film. Due to lack of money, I worked with friends in Johannesburg. But on my first trips to the township, where crime is to be expected, I found myself in an ethical dilemma: Should I expose my friends to possible dangers for a film? Can I use the trust of my private relationships for this project? When do I abuse relationships?
In my case it was a free artistic student project without existential pressure. But what if your entire life depends on the success of a project? How far would someone go, especially with more dangerous topics like a rebel group? “Good News” is my filmic examination of these questions. The film takes a look at the ethical limits of media professionals who depend on the success of their projects. When is trust abused and what risk is acceptable?
In my case it was a free artistic student project without existential pressure. But what if your entire life depends on the success of a project? How far would someone go, especially with more dangerous topics like a rebel group? “Good News” is my filmic examination of these questions. The film takes a look at the ethical limits of media professionals who depend on the success of their projects. When is trust abused and what risk is acceptable?
Cast
Cast
Ilja Stahl
Ilja Stahl
Sabree Matming
Sabree Matming
Dennis Scheuermann
Dennis Scheuermann
Director
Director
Hannes Schilling
Hannes Schilling
Screenplay
Screenplay
Ghiath Al Mhitawi und Hannes Schilling
Ghiath Al Mhitawi und Hannes Schilling
Produced by
Produced by
Jost Hering Filme
Jost Hering Filme
Co Produced by
Co Produced by
Hannes Schilling
Hannes Schilling
Director of Photography
Director of Photography
Falco Seliger
Falco Seliger
Editors
Editors
Marie Fontanel und Paul Gröbel
Marie Fontanel und Paul Gröbel
Sounddesign
Sounddesign
Alexander Wolf
Alexander Wolf
Sound-mixing
Sound-mixing
Anastasiia Nasonkina, Johannes Luppa
Anastasiia Nasonkina, Johannes Luppa
Filmmusic
Filmmusic
Lena Radivoj
Lena Radivoj
Filmorchester Babelsberg
Filmorchester Babelsberg
Stage-design
Stage-design
Pisuthpak Sukwisit
Pisuthpak Sukwisit
made possible by
made possible by
FFA - Filmförderungsanstalt
FFA - Filmförderungsanstalt
Die Beauftrage der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien
Die Beauftrage der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien
with the support of
with the support of
Filmuniversity Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Filmuniversity Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Prince of Songkla University PSU
Prince of Songkla University PSU