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.


Awards

Award for social relevant Film on Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis 2024

Best Director Feature Film - Achtung Berlin Filmfestival 2024

Best Actor - Achtung Berlin Filmfestival 2024

Best German Film - Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival 2024  

Nominated for Best Feature - FIRST STEPS Award 2024

Perspektive Spielfilmpreis - Fünf Seen Filmfestival 2024

Festivals

Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis 2024

Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival 2024  

Achtung Berlin Filmfestival 2024

Lichter Filmfest Frankfurt International 2024 

Fünf Seen Filmfestival 2024 

37. Finále Plzeň 2024

Willkommen Zuhause Filmfestival Bernau 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 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

Ilja Stahl

Sabree Matming

Dennis Scheuermann


Director

Hannes Schilling


Screenplay

Ghiath Al Mhitawi und Hannes Schilling


Produced by 

Jost Hering Filme


Co Produced by 

Hannes Schilling


Director of Photography

Falco Seliger


Editors

Marie Fontanel und Paul Gröbel


Sounddesign

Alexander Wolf


Sound-mixing

Anastasiia Nasonkina, Johannes Luppa


Filmmusic

Lena Radivoj


Filmorchester Babelsberg


Stage-design

Pisuthpak Sukwisit


made possible by

FFA - Filmförderungsanstalt

Die Beauftrage der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien


with the support of

Filmuniversity Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF

Prince of Songkla University PSU