Private Project

Malus Somnia

As business is getting more and more scarce for self-employed architect Marius, he tries to find a way to enable his daughter to go to university abroad. A new experimental form of artificial intelligence seems to provide a solution by enhancing Marius’s productivity. But as he rises to success, he pays a terrible price: His daughter’s love.

  • Christopher Kriesel
    Director
  • Manuel Herzog
    Writer
  • Stefan Bruckner
    Writer
  • Marie-Christine Mirli
    Producer
  • Roman Binder
    Key Cast
    "Marius Richter"
  • Silvia Schwinger
    Key Cast
    "Lisa Richter"
  • Carolin Scheicher
    Key Cast
    "Sarah Kläger"
  • Gerald Pribek
    Key Cast
    "David Schwarzbauer"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Malus Somnia
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Drama
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 9 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    3,762 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Austria
  • Country of Filming:
    Austria
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
Director Biography - Christopher Kriesel

First-time director based in Austria. After finishing his studies of media technology at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, Christopher Kriesel now works for Stöger equipment rental in Vienna.

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Director Statement

The film is set in the near future in Europe. Artifical intelligence has become a part of everyday life. For several years, there have been trials for implanting artificial intelligence into humans.

The film follows a father and his daughter through difficult times during which they are confronted with an AI named "Somnia". The striving for success and power and its destructive potential is a central aspect of the story. It is contrasted with familial cohesion which is about to fall apart.