Films by Klaus Volkenborn

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 1996, 96 min
by Andres Veiel

Rudi, Tilman and Thilo are dead – of their own free will. In the provinces of Swabia, Andres Veiel faces up to the tragedy of his former classmates and comes to the disturbing conclusion that every suicide ensnares its survivors in an intricate web of guilt and self-pity.

Germany 1993, 96 min
by Andres Veiel, David Maayan

An explosive stage production against the Holocaust. Three Israeli actors: Khaled, the Palestinian; Madi, the Jew; and Moni, the child of Israeli Jews and himself a practising othodox Jew. Using highly vivid images they face up to their history – going right up to the pain barrier. (DOK.fest Munich)with: Madi Smadar Maayan, Khaled Abu Ali, Moni Yosef, David Maayan, Miri Zemach, Naama Mamber, Anat Kirschner