Films by Christian Beetz

Germany, USA 2024, 87 min
by Hans Block, Moritz Riesewieck

Startups are using AI to create avatars that allow relatives to talk with their loved ones after they have died. An exploration of a profound human desire and the consequences of turning the dream of immortality into a product."I wanted to see if he was okay," explains Christi, one of the users of Project December. With this innovative software, users can communicate with a virtual version of the deceased through a chatbot that simulates the dead person’s conversation patterns. Hers was an attem

Germany, Italy 2024, 90 min
by Andreas Pichler

Europe’s largest bear rewilding project was successful in resetlling brown bears in the Italian Alps. While most locals supported the conservation project in the beginning, fear and anger prevail after a series of attacks on humans. Interweaving breathtaking and rarely seen footage of wild bears and interviews with rangers and locals, the film taps into the heated debate over what the return of the bears means for rural communities. Can humans and bears truly coexist? How do we balance conservat

2023, 180 min
by Anne von Petersdorff, Georg Tschurtschenthaler

For many years, King Juan Carlos I was a Spanish hero, celebrated around the world for reforming Spain with his modern, progressive, democratic values. He led his country from the Franco dictatorship to parliamentary monarchy, transforming Spain into a modern European state and becoming the most popular Spanish ruler in history. King Juan Carlos had a loyal Queen, a loving family, international respect, friends in high places and faithful subjects; he had everything a King could wish for. So, ho

Armenia, Germany, Lithuania 2022, 96 min
by Inna Sahakyan

At only 14 years old, Aurora lost everything during the horror of the Armenian Genocide. But with luck and extraordinary courage she escaped to New York, where her story became a media sensation. Starring in one of the first Hollywood blockbusters as herself in 1919, Auction of Souls, Aurora would become the face of the largest charity campaign in American history. With a blend of vivid animation, aged Aurora’s video testimony, and 18-minute rediscovered footage from her original lost silent epi

2021, 90 min
by Sagi Bornstein, Udi Nir

Follow the journeys of 7 YouTubers through a year like no other, in a bitter-sweet portrait of the Gen Z and our new viral world. Seven young people from across the world shared their exciting plans for 2020 when “virus” started trending online. From the pandemic, through to the BLM movement and on to the US elections – VIRAL DREAMS features over a year’s worth o real-time video posts, and depicts the surprising resilience of a new generation to a global change no one saw coming.

Canada, Germany 2021, 87 min
by Julian Sher

Just before the Taliban sweep back to power and the United States withdraw in defeat, former Globe and Mail war correspondent Graeme Smith returns to Afghanistan. In the timely TVO Original documentary GHOSTS OF AFGHANISTAN, Smith offers a first-hand account of NATO’s failed attempt to bring democracy and women’s rights and freedoms to the country. He reveals the true face of the "forever war" taking an unflinching look at what went wrong in the world’s deadliest conflict that ended in chaos and

Hong Kong, Germany 2020, 90 min
by Bing Zhou

A emotional journey into the center of Hong Kong's democracy protests.Hong Kong MOMENTS tells the stories of seven protagonists who live in the centre of the protests. With their different social backgrounds and political attitudes, they represent different hopes and dreams—a reflection of the geopolitical conflicts in the Hong Kong society that is increasingly divided…The protest movement will remain in the history of Hong Kong. In three districts—Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Hong Kong Island—protes

Germany 2020, 160 min
by Jan Peter, Georg Tschurtschenthaler

"A Perfect Crime" investigates the 1991 killing of politician Detlev Rohwedder, an unsolved mystery at the heart of Germany's tumultuous reunification.Monday, April 1, 1991, 11:30 pm: Detlev Karsten Rohwedder was shot through the window on the 1st floor of his villa in Düsseldorf with a sniper shot. Rohwedder was the head of the “Deutsche Treuhandanstalt”, at that time the largest company in the world. The Treuhand was responsible for the restructuring and privatization of the entire economy of

Ireland, Canada, Germany 2019, 86 min
by Garry Keane, Andrew McConnell

Gaza brings us into a unique place beyond the reach of television news reports to reveal a world rich with eloquent and resilient characters, offering us a cinematic and enriching portrait of a people attempting to lead meaningful lives against the rubble of perennial conflict.The documentary GAZA by director Garry Keane and Andrew Mc Connell is a German-Irish-Canadian co-production with Real Films, Filmoption International, Fine Point Films, gebrueder beetz filmproduktion and ZDF in cooperation

Germany, Switzerland 2019, 118 min
by Marcus Vetter

Every year, leading figures from international politics, business and academia gather in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. For the forum’s 81-year-old founder Klaus Schwab, it’s all about improving the world through dialogue. But how are you going to challenge the status quo if you keep on inviting exclusively establishment figures?Marcus Vetter was the first filmmaker to be granted behind-the-scenes access. The impressive procession of princes, presidents and other guests—predominantly

Israel, Germany 2019, 87 min
by Shani Rozanes, Sagi Bornstein, Udi Nir

Forty years after her death, Golda Meir’s image is still clouded with controversy. While perceived as a feminist icon in many places in the world, in the country she led as a prime minister for five years she’s seen by many as a total failure, a symbol of disgrace. 'Madam Prime Minister' invites the viewers to walk in her iconic shoes and reexamine her ground breaking and dramatic years as the first and only female prime minister of Israel.Shortly before her passing, Golda Meir was interviewed f

Germany, Brasil 2018, 88 min
by Hans Block, Moritz Riesewieck

When you post something on the web, can you be sure it stays there? Enter a hidden shadow industry of digital cleaning where the Internet rids itself of what it doesn’t like.. violence, pornography and.. political content. Who is controlling what we see and what we think?

Germany 2018, 416 min
by Julie Kirchhoff, Sylvie Kürsten, Ralf Pleger, Kurt Mayer

THE ART OF MUSEUMS is not a classic documentary series about galleries displaying dusty old paintings. These films trace the turbulent biographies of each museum, from their survival of wars to their visions for the future. The museums have witnessed fierce battles and great triumphs. Their lives are full of intrigue, hope and celebration—moments inscribed in their histories. We tell these stories through a multitude of perspectives, from exclusive archive material, to interviews with museum dir

Germany 2017, 90 min
by Tristan Ferland Milewski

Once a year the DREAM BOAT sets sail for a cruise only for gay men. Far from their families and political restrictions, we follow five men from five countries on the quest for their dreams. The cruise promises seven days of sunshine, love, and freedom – but on board are also their personal stories, their doubts and uncertainties…„It’s raining men! Hallelujah, it’s raining men!“ The Weather Girls

Germany, Brasil 2017, 90 min
by Mauricio Dias

Serra da Mocidade is an isolated mountain range in the centre of the Amazon with the greatest chances of containing many species of plants and animals that are new to science. New satellite technology maps have provided researchers with a very detailed view of the entire Amazonian territory. Together with a group of another 25 researchers and biologists, professor Mario Cohn-Haft will lead an expedition to Serra da Mocidade, starting in August 2014. Our film crew will have exclusive access to th

2016, 75 min
by Kamilla Pfeffer

A documentary about the painter Oda Jaune and about her paintings. An intimate portrait of a young woman who had to leave her past behind to find her future.She paints bodies that are mutilated and disfigured, naked and sexless, faceless. Disturbing paintings, painful paintings. And she paints faces radiating happiness, people in paradise, people who can fly. Tender, touching paintings. Originally from Bulgaria, Oda Jaune studies at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, becomes a master scholar of Jörg

Germany 2016, 90 min
by Lutz Gregor

MALI BLUES tells the story of four female and male musicians from the West African country of Mali, who espouse with their music a tolerant Islam and a country at peace.The West African country of Mali is considered the birthplace of the blues and jazz, brought later by abducted slaves to America’s cotton fields. For centuries music has strengthened Mali’s cultural identity, musicians are holding strong positions in society. Following Fatoumata Diawara, shooting star of the global pop scene, MAL

Germany 2016, 90 min
by Jeremy JP Fekete, Marco Wilms, Tuan Lam

In the ARTE-series “Gasoline Deluxe”, consisting of 10 episodes, the entertainer and gas station lover Friedrich Lichtenstein searches for the most beautiful and most extraordinary gas stations in Europe. His aim: he wants to convince the world that gas stations are the most romantic places in our present age.10x26mins or 90mins, French, German or English version available8x5mins web-series

Germany 2015, 52 min
by Ralf Pleger

An emotionally charged psychograph of the most famous Russian composer on the occasion of his 175th birthday in May, 2015The film radically transfers Peter Tchaikovsky into the present time and draws an emotional psychological portrait. Tchaikovsky’s fate, being at the mercy of a homophobic environment as a gay man, comes up for current discussion. Additionally, renowned international artists and experts reveal their very personal approach to Tchaikovsky and his music.Tchaikovsky is regarded as

Germany 2015
by Christian Salewski, Carolyn Braun, Fredy Gareis, Marcus Pfeil

A painting that has saved the lives of more than 30 people and that has been lost for almost eight decades. A case of looted art that leads from Germany’s present right into its dark past. A transmedia investigation across various media channels and outlets, which makes the audience part of the team. This is: #arthunt ( #kunstjagd )

2015, 90 min
by Cyril Tuschi

Digital Dissidents are the warriors of the digital age: Republican patriots, radical anarchists and cyber-hippies fight side by side for transparency and privacy in the digital world. For that, they are in prison, live in exile or have lost their careers and families. While many people celebrate them as heroes, critics, intelligence services and companies condemn their actions as an assault on our security. Why are they doing it? What are their motives?The film focuses on people, who became diss

Germany 2013, 225 min
by Christian Beetz, Tristan Ferland Milewski

Today people seem to be sexually educated and the Internet evokes an image of an open-minded society, but are people truly happy with their sexuality? Did they find a way to communicate about it? Not really, says Ann-Marlene Henning, couple therapist, sexologist and author of the novel MAKE LOVE - people know astonishing little about their own sexuality. There is a large desire to talk AND learn more about sex, love and relationship. Together with host Ann-Marlene Henning we create a spirited TV

2012, 52 min
by Kief Davidson

“Open Heart” is the story of Angelique and Marie who – as will 6 other Rwandan children – leave their families behind and embark on a life-or-death journey to receive high-risk open-heart surgery in Africa’s only free-of-charge, state-of-the-art cardiac hospital, the Salam Centre run by Emergency, an Italian NGO. Their heart valves, damaged and weakened by rheumatic heart disease, which develops from untreated childhood strep throat, leave them lethargic and weak. Some of the children have only

Germany 2011
by Tamara Wyss

In the spring of 1914 a French archaeological expedition, led by the French poet and medical doctor Victor Segalen, entered the Province of Sichuan in order to do research on burial mounds of the Han era (206 BCE-220 CE) and early Chinese Buddhist iconography and epigraphy. Research in this realm still continues in Sichuan today, but the means and techniques of the archaeologists and art historians are more complex and advanced compared to those of a century ago. Segalen, who lived in China from

Sweden, Germany 2010, 90 min
by Marius van Niekerk, Staffan Julén

In higher political circles, debate still continues on the issue of who won the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002), the Cold War's final theater of conflict. It began as a struggle for independence and developed into a drawn-out civil war. But the victims of the conflict know the truth: nobody won. And so do the soldiers who created the victims, as this gripping personal documentary testifies. The film revolves around Marius van Niekerk, who initiated the project, co-directed with Staffan Julén, and

Germany 2010, 100 min
by Dieter Schumann

The film accompanies the Wadan employees throughout their 18-month struggle for the preservation of their shipyard. A film about the value of work in a globalized world. Wismar, 45,000 inhabitants. The income of every third family depends on the Wadan shipyard, the only major company in the region. In August 2008 a Russian investor takes over the old, traditional business and its future seems secured. But then the financial and economic crisis hits the Hanseatic City at its very centre: more tha

Germany 2010, 52 min
by Torsten Striegnitz, Simone Dobmeier, Hedwig Schmutte

The death at Wannsee Lake – a spectacular case that has, to date, continued to disturb and fascinate the ensuing ages. The German poet Kleist was found shot – what is that supposed to mean? What exactly happened at Wannsee Lake that afternoon on November 21st, 1811? Who shot Kleist? What is known about the woman that died with him? Could it be that the bullets were meant for her? Or that he shot her? Or she, him? If yes, why? And why were the couple so cheerful and playful mere momen

Germany, Switzerland 2010, 52 min
by Marc Burth, Marc Burth

After becoming a father, Marc Burth has a problem: Two children and no fitting religion for them. His father is Protestant, his mother is Jewish, and his sister a shaman. His wife's dad is a Moslem; her mother, Catholic. Making the right choice for his children in this intersection of religions is a diffi- cult job for the confused filmmaker! Searching for answers, Marc Burth meets people that have a relationship with God and some that consciously don’t. He talks to atheists, shamans, Jesu

Germany, Austria 2010, 90 min
by Jan Tenhaven

The film tells the life-affirming stories of five senior athletes across the world who all have one goal – to take part in the track and field World Masters Championships in Finland. The biggest challenge is their age as all athletes are between 77 and 100 years old - a race against time and personal degeneration as they jump, run and throw the discus. In their long lives, they have fought many personal crises and losses, they have survived wars and other tragedies, some of them have won the bat

Germany 2010, 90 min
by Pamela Meyer-Arndt

Berka, a Thuringian village within the change of centuries. The photographers Ludwig Schirmer and Werner Mahler have documented the change of the Thuringian village Berka over the centuries - from 1949 until 2006. Their poetic photo series shows an idyllic and well functioning village community and is the starting point for the documentary. The documentary tells the dramatic and rousing story of Berkas inhabitants. How they tried to build their existence again and again after the war, beneath So

Germany, Denmark 2010, 52 min
by Lundø Jørgensen, Jacob Jørgensen

A film following the great artist Olafur Eliassion for four years through his life, work, concepts and thinking. Olafur Eliasson’s studio is based in Berlin. It is one of the most creative workplaces in Europe. The film is a unique portrait of the Danish/Icelandic artist and his projects - from the first sketches to their final destinations, where the world press awaits with high expectations to see the talented ‘Dane’s’ newest artistic ideas.

Germany 2010, 208 min
by André Rehse

Humanity is facing huge challenges today: Climate change, ocean pollution and non-renewable energy sources are all pressing environmental problems. But nature provides some sustainable answers. The four-part series ‘Inspired by Nature’ deals with the selected biomimicry topics locomotion, construc- tion, apperception and processing. It shows how scientists analyse complex biological processes, how these results are applied to solutions of technical problems and finally evolve to everyday objects

Germany 2008
by Marc Eberle

After 30 years of conspiracy theories and myth making, this film uncovers the story of the CIA’s most extensive clandestine operation in the history of modern warfare: The Secret War in Laos, which was conducted alongside the Vietnam War from 1964 -1973. While the world's attention was caught by the conflict in Vietnam, the CIA built the busiest military airport in the world in neighbouring and neutral Laos and recruited humanitarian aid personnel, Special Forces agents and civilian pilots

Germany 2008
by Sabine Michel

Germany 2008, 90 min
by Germán Berger Hertz

On October 19th 1973 Carlos Berger Guralnik was killed along with 70 other opponents in the Chilean Atacama desert by Pinochets 'caravana de la muerte' (Death Convoy). His body has never been found. Of Carlos only the remembering of his family is left. Thirty years later his only son, Germán Berger Hertz, traces the life and death of Carlos. The documentary is a personal search of a son for his father, in which the turbulent history of Chile is reflected until today.