Films by Jens Meurer

Germany, Austria 2023, 90 min
by Bianca Gleissinger

„So schön, schön war die Zeit." - Bianca Gleissinger's humorous debut documentary 27 STOREYS is about Austria's largest social housing estate, Wohnpark Alterlaa, and its former promise of happiness to its residents. The director returns to the place of her childhood and encounters its quirky as well as endearing residents - in the shooting club, at the pool on the roof or on the balcony - and thus provides deep insight into a social biotope. "Living like the rich for everyone" was the utopian premise of the architect with the sonorous name Harry Glück in 1970. But what remains of that pioneering spirit? This film is a witty, very personal approach to an obscure place and an examination of its own roots.DIAGONALE Jury statement: "A microcosm. A social housing and a promise of happiness from the 1970s. A cinematographer who does not create an architectural film and does not succumb to the temptation to remain at a distance. Step by step he takes us into the lives of these people who have created their own world in the Alterlaa housing pyramids. Together with his director and protagonist, he explores this social fabric with great empathy. It's the balancing act of capturing the architectural complexity of the labyrinthine building and giving space to the individuality of the residents that succeeds brilliantly here."

Germany 2021, 91 min
by Jens Meurer

SEASIDE SPECIAL is a love letter to Brexit Britain: a consciously warm-hearted look at Britain’s only remaining “End-of-the-Pier” variety show – far away from London – as the town of Cromer and the cast prepare for the 2019 summer season.The film portrays a town from a different time, full of quintessentially British types, but which also offers a highly topical outlook: It’s about attitude, craftsmanship, and authenticity. It’s about community and values, about the humor of our British neighbors, their originality, and their quirks – which we as Europeans will sorely miss. [55 Hof IFF]