Private Project

STRANGERS NEED LOVE TOO

A Berlin film student plans to realise her graduation film about the unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity. While the boundaries between her own life and the project become increasingly blurred as she gets caught up in relationships of dependency and is forced to face social taboos, depression and existential fears.

  • Sabrina Mertens
    Director
  • Sabrina Mertens
    Writer
  • Sabrina Mertens
    Producer
  • Lorenzo Gandolfo
    Producer
  • Jan Fabi
    Producer
  • Freya Kreutzkam
    Key Cast
    "Barbara Blake"
  • Patrice Grießmeier
    Key Cast
    "Steffie"
  • Jörn Hentschel
    Key Cast
    "Barbara's Father"
  • Henny Reents
    Key Cast
    "Fleur Uffner"
  • Daniel Popat
    Key Cast
    "Ben"
  • Steffen C. Jürgens
    Key Cast
    "Principal of the Film Art School"
  • Anna Suzuki Lee
    Key Cast
    "Jodi"
  • Markus Majowski
    Key Cast
    "Lawyer"
  • Cosima Shaw
    Key Cast
    "Deputy Principal of the Film Art School"
  • Sabine Vitua
    Key Cast
    "Steffie's mother"
  • Flora Pauer
    Key Cast
    "Rosie"
  • Hans-Jürgen Schatz
    Key Cast
    "Editor at Frech und Frisch TV"
  • Anna Schönberg
    Key Cast
    "Film Art School Teacher"
  • Petra Friedrich
    Key Cast
    "Editor at Frech und Frisch TV"
  • Christoph Glaubacker
    Key Cast
    "Steffie's father"
  • Uğurcan Düzgün
    Key Cast
    "Erdar"
  • Claudia Lietz
    Key Cast
    "First Therapist"
  • Judith von Radetzky
    Key Cast
    "Second Therapist"
  • Jean Denis Römer
    Key Cast
    "Third Therapist"
  • Martin Clausen
    Key Cast
    "Fourth Therapist"
  • Roy Hughes
    Key Cast
    "Film Festival Host"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    PHILIPPIKA - STRANGERS NEED LOVE TOO
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Student
  • Genres:
    Dramedy, Satire
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2026
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    English, German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Director - Sabrina Mertens