Experiencing Interruptions?

Being with Animals

Is it possible to talk with animals? Following this question, the filmmaker explores different forms of animal communication. She wants to understand her excited dog Bina. The journey leads her from Switzerland to England and to Arizona. She meets an animal communicator, two animal teachers, a biologist, an animal therapist, and the founder of „The Trust Technique“. On eye level with dogs, horses, cats, dolphins and a goat she uncovers their sensitive way of perceiving and communicating. Getting familiar with their language and training with her dog she learns more than she could have wished for.

  • Salome Pitschen
    Director
  • Salome Pitschen
    Writer
  • Salome Pitschen
    Producer
  • Maia Kincaid Ph.D.
    Key Cast
  • Dr. Rupert Sheldrake
    Key Cast
  • James French
    Key Cast
  • Fredy Knie jun.
    Key Cast
  • Maycol Errani
    Key Cast
  • Monika Obi
    Key Cast
  • Many animals
    Key Cast
  • Claudia Remondino
    Cinematography
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Mit Tieren reden
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 12, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    250,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Switzerland
  • Country of Filming:
    Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
  • Language:
    English, German, Italian, Swiss German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Full HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Theatrical Release Switzerland
    Zurich, Berne, Basel, Lucerne, St. Gallen
    Switzerland
    November 22, 2018
    Intern. Cinema Premiere
  • Sedona Intern. Film Festival
    Sedona, Arizona
    United States
    February 25, 2018
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Illuminate Film Festival
    Sedona
    United States
    April 12, 2019
    Official Selection
  • Awareness Film Fest, Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    October 16, 2020
    Merit Award
  • Japan Art Center, 11th Movie Grandprix
    Tokyo
    Japan
    Japan Premiere
    Price for Excellence
Distribution Information
  • mythenfilm
    Country: Switzerland
    Rights: All Rights
  • Autlook
    Country: Austria
    Rights: Theatrical
Director Biography - Salome Pitschen

Born 1966 in Basel, lives since 1985 in Zurich. Studied architecture at the ETH Zurich 1985-87. 1995: Master in Cinema Studies, German Language & Literature and Art History at the University of Zurich. First short films in 16mm at NYU summer school, 1991. Super8 and Video experiments. 1995-97 production and editing assistant of Holly Fisher, NY, and Peter Mettler, Toronto. 1998: „Letter to the Unconscious“, 16mm, 6’. Since 2000 editor of cinema documentaries. 2001 director’s assistant and editor of „Venus Boyz“ (Gabriel Baur). 2003 she founds her production company Settebello Film. First feature length movie „mittendrin – 5 Frauen, 5 Jahreszeiten“ („In the midst of – 5 women, 5 seasons“) in 2006. Since then she works as filmmaker, editor, producer, cinematographer. 2010 producer and editor of „Weather Gazers“ (Waetterschmoecker) by Thomas Horat. 2013 she works as producer, editor and cinematographer for the award winning movie „Alpsummer“ by Thomas Horat. 2018 „Being with Animals“, 2015-2019 production of the latest film by Horat „The Return of the Wolves“ („Die Rückkehr der Wölfe“).

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Director Statement

More and more people are interested in a deeper connection with animals. I hope that my film will contribute, that there will be more awareness for the amazing possibilities we have in communicating with animals. We can learn a lot from them. The personal film also triggers universal questions such as: When we recognise, that every living being is connected with one another, how could this change our relationships with animals, not only with our pets, but also with the so called „farm animals“?