Ludwig von Sarajevo

Directors Statement
This is a powerful drama about the struggle of losing ones son, the torment and agony... searching to find comfort again. A soulful story showing humanity and how coexistence can be achieved.
A Bosnian father, who has been suffering from depression for more than 20 years. The cause of his depression is from not letting go of the fact his son, a solider from the 90's war in Bosnia, died defending the civilians of the city of Sarajevo. On the other hand a ghost (Ludwig) is a soul from the old grave yard. In his grave he loves to watch the city from the hill. The characters open out their differences in a heart to heart conversation covering philosophy, imperialism, religious and cultural differences eventuating to a smooth harmony of love and comfort through coexistence.
Hamid lost his son defending the city of Sarajevo. He cant find his sons body , one the other hand Ludwig has no family to visit him and he died attack the city if Sarajevo... this is a perfect juxtaposition. The irony should be clear to the audients and showing a very poetic relationship.
The thief kid is a very interesting way on closing the film. We see the thief at the start of the film where he says hello the to troublesome “Dedo Hamid” and then after the heated conversation between Ludwig and Hamid, right when they are supporting each other (although Hamid can't see Ludwig) there is a harmonious affection between them, the thief enters the film to try and show “AGGRESSION”.
The genre of this short film is a drama shown in a poetic way.
The short film is set in the present time in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina however the character of Ludwig Bollis is a ghost from 1878, for 140 years he has been spending his time in the grave, I am sure tha character from 140years ago.
What is the hero's goal?
Hamid just wants to find comfort in his life. He spent his life taking care and nurturing his son, and he just can't give up on that love, can anyone blame him?
I met and discussed a lot with our DoP about how the Cinematic style should support the script. We agreed that Black and white would be the best way to correctly portray this story for the screen.
The themes of the film are largely related to war and regret. Grieving and learning to live with our losses in life. Also about preservation as the story of Ludwig is a real one. And the grave yard has been preserved until today, so I feel that it played a large theme in the film.
The moral of the film is keep faith in humanity. We are all humans; we make mistakes, Ludwig did by attempting to occupy another country... what use did it bring him? In the end we just want to love and be loved.
Hamid represents the defense of the longest siege on a city in modern history and Ludwig represents the opposite, someone that wants to invade another but really deep down after 140 years to think about his actions... He just wants companionship. To feel a human connection... perhaps a family member... like a son who misses his father, and he finally finds a father in Hamid.
It is important for the actors to fill up their dialogue with subtext.
The performances should be naturalistic but much of the meaning will be found in the subtext. Both characters are dealing with loss and are having a hard time articulating that in words but rather we feel their grief in the paused between sentences. In the way they read their lines with emotions roiling beneath the surface
Hamid wearing a Fez and Ludwig in his Austrian Army clothes made it clear and highlighted the visual style of the 2 different nationalities. The big Cross on the grave also contributed to symbolism to the Austrian as the Fez does for Hamid. Both are important Symbols to the city of Sarajevo.
The script is heavily written with dialogue, so the cinematic style I want is to keep the camera movement flowing to enhance emotions. And to almost have that someone is in the room feeling by occasionally cutting to Wide shots of the main conversation between Ludwig and Hamid with out Ludwig. To bring the audience back to the reality.
Editing, for me it is important to keep the cuts in synchronization because the Jib and Dolly movement had to context of action and reaction.
The choice of music is to join both worlds, a Bosnian and an Austrian. I think it was important to establish a waltz theme for Ludwig and a depressing piano ballad for Hamid, this will give a nice dance to the characters dialogue.
With our post sound it was important to help move the story along as much as possible and to support the journey of the film. We added bird sounds to give a nature feeling. Ludwig’s character was given a slight echo on the start and end of some words, this is the highlight that fact that he is a ghost.
The only visual effects used in the film was when Ludwig hits the thief. This was shot in 50fps to emphasis the “touch of a spirit” effect.