Films by Ralf Bücheler

Germany 2023, 102 min
by Ralf Bücheler

We all know the big bad wolf of fairy-tale fame – over hundreds of years the wolf has become a culturally imprinted symbol of fear that’s completely detached from reality. In fact there weren’t even any wolves in western Europe for a long time. But they’re back – for example in Germany, where these social animals now occupy a few scattered areas around the country that people have left to them. The comeback of the wolf in Germany resulted from a democratic decision that is carefully managed within a bureaucratic framework. This meticulous documentary follows some of the people – scientists, conservationists and shepherds – who are keeping a close eye on the wolves.Scenes of these people at work in the field and in laboratories are interspersed with conversations and presentations at political hearings. As well as monitoring the wolves, they add their voices to counter the fact-free public debate and tendentious arguments put forward by opponents. [IDFA]

Germany 2022, 91 min
by Frank Wierke

A gentle stroll through the life and thoughts of a great intellectual of our time.Michael Krüger has not only shaped the landscape of publishing in Germany over the past 50 years, he has also created a diverse and inspiring body of work as a writer. In the film we follow him from his final year at Hanser Verlag to him stepping down from his role as President of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. In the process, Michael Krüger appears astute and full of life even at the age of 75. [37 DOK.fest Munich, Anne Thomé]

Germany 2016, 90 min
by Jörg Adolph, Ralf Bücheler

Sibling conflict, tantrums, divorce strain, shopping addiction, media consumption, or ADHS – children can offer ample cause for parents to reach the ends of their parenting tethers. For help, parents and their children can turn to the Gelsenkirchen Youth and Children's Clinic – in a three-week intensive program supervised by "parenting license" inventor and psychologist Dietmar Langer. During these twenty-one days, parents get to know themselves and their children anew. The approach is a holistic one, i.e. the doctors and therapists deal not only with the child's clinical symptoms, but with the entire web of relationships within the family. The film accompanies several families through this difficult period of transition – from clinic admission to the day of aftercare. It is a film about the central issues of parenting and beneficial ways for parents to deal with their children in difficult times – and an image of society, as reflected within clinic walls.