Films by Inge Schneider

Germany 2011
by Bettina Borgfeld, David Bernet

The ground in Paraguay is perfect for the cultivation of soy. In recent years, countless acres of forest have been chopped down to make room for the growing of this protein-rich bean. The land of a farmer named Geronimo is now completely surrounded by soy plantations. These are generously sprayed with pesticides - poison that only the genetically modified soy plants are immune to. Unfortunately, the pesticides spread farther than the boundaries of the soy fields. So not only is there less and less land for the campesinos, or local farmers like Geronimo, but it also becomes impossible for them to cultivate healthy crops themselves. In Raising Resistance, Bettina Borgfeld and David Bernet capture the campesinos as they revolt against the enormous soy business in their country. Led by the ever-friendly Geronimo, they squat a section of farmland, try to stop the spraying of pesticides, and make their voices heard in the media. The filmmakers also give the floor to the large landowners.

Germany 2011, 85 min
by Diana Näcke

Kuebra is an infestation. As the only female intensive delinquent in Berlin, the most serious category of juvenile offenders within the local youth prison regime, she has been plagued and hated since the age of 14. But in reality she just longs to be an ordinary girl, a girl that someone will care of, and hold her in their arms. She will take us on a journey into her past, to a place where she has grown up and knows like no other: the woman’s prison in Berlin where she served for almost four and a half years. When Kuebra was detained for the first time she met a young woman from Ethiopia, Salema, whose life story, over the course of this film is closely linked with that of Kuebra’s. In their time together in prison the two experience an unusual prison director, Matthias Bluemel. Kuebra's relationship with the prison director goes beyond the prison walls; an extraordinary relationship between two people who come from opposing sides of our society. With Bluemel’s unconventional views on prison methods, and Kuebra and Salema’s unusual intelligence, outrageous views on life and sweeping humor - this film takes us on a touching yet deeply disturbing journey.

Germany, Switzerland 2011
by Bettina Borgfeld, David Bernet

The ground in Paraguay is perfect for the cultivation of soy. In recent years, countless acres of forest have been chopped down to make room for the growing of this protein-rich bean. The land of a farmer named Geronimo is now completely surrounded by soy plantations. These are generously sprayed with pesticides - poison that only the genetically modified soy plants are immune to. Unfortunately, the pesticides spread farther than the boundaries of the soy fields. So not only is there less and less land for the campesinos, or local farmers like Geronimo, but it also becomes impossible for them to cultivate healthy crops themselves. In Raising Resistance, Bettina Borgfeld and David Bernet capture the campesinos as they revolt against the enormous soy business in their country. Led by the ever-friendly Geronimo, they squat a section of farmland, try to stop the spraying of pesticides, and make their voices heard in the media. The filmmakers also give the floor to the large landowners.

Germany 2008
by Cosima Lange

CHAMAME MUSIC, PEOPLE, POETRY introduces a popular Argentinean style of world music and four artists whose lives revolve around it. You will meet Gicela Mendez Ribeiro, a rising young singer; Alberto Bofill, self-declared ambassador of the Chamame tradition; bandleader Monchito Merlo, who represents a widely popular style; as well as the international award-winning accordionist Chango Spasiuk. While they couldn't be more different, Chamama to each one is much more than just music. It represents their way of life, and they gladly invite the audience to share their passion, sorrows and joys.

Germany 2004, 108 min
by Andres Veiel

Four acting students are the focus of Andres Veiel’s long-term observational documentary. We meet Stephanie, Karina, Constanza and Prodromos while they are preparing for their acting school auditions. The selection procedure takes months; it is a trying, nerve-racking time spent vacillating between hope and anxiety. All four make it into the school, but their initial euphoria about commencing their studies – including group exercises, role play and obligatory fencing lessons – is soon followed by deflation in the face of merciless criticism of even the slightest shortcoming by their tutors. In this way, their passion for their chosen vocation is constantly put the test.The four students couldn’t be more different: Karina appears to have very few problems; Stephanie, however, has to endure several auditions. Constanze immerses herself in her roles, whilst Prodromos always seems to be at odds with himself, his roles and his dreams. Andres Veiel: “We observe the struggles of the protagonists; how they try not to get stressed out or lose sight of themselves by worrying about the discrepancy between their expectations and their abilities. We accompany them on their search for identity and an image, but we also follow their progress towards maturity as actors and as individuals. Then, at the end of their studies, comes the real test: trying to gain a foothold in the profession. All of a sudden, they find themselves faced with a new set of questions. What is the nature of success? How high is the price for achievement? And what has become of their original dreams and aims, seven years on?”

Germany 1999
by Julia M. Novak, Natalie Kreisz

From the point of view of a younger generation we asked five filmmakers, Jutta Brückner, Helke Sander, Helga Reidemeister, Ula Stöckl and Regine Kühn about their experiences as women in the filmbusiness. The interviews took place in a slide installation which allowed to step into the ‘filmworld’ of each woman and have a conversation in front of the stills we’ve chosen. Parts of the interviews are assembled with excerpts from the films which not only illustrate but also comment on the women’s statements.