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Schuld

SCHULD" is a dramatic short film with animation elements and an original soundtrack. The project is closely tied to Bernhard Schlink's novel The Reader, which was awarded Book of the Year in Austria in 2023. The central theme explores the guilt of the two protagonists—Michael Berg and Hanna Schmitz—and their complex relationship.

The artistic approach transcends the narrative boundaries of the book, portraying Michael years after the events, now an adult man. Through flashbacks, he reflects on key turning points in his own (in)guilt, while also addressing Hanna's transgressions. Focused on these two human destinies, the film aims to depict the historical context and its psychological impact on the protagonists

  • Theodora Mileva
    Director
  • Theodora Mileva
    Writer
  • Theodora Mileva
    Composer
  • Rumen Barosov
    Producer
  • Muhammed Ashim
    Cameraman
  • Muhammed Ashim
    Editor & Cut
  • Muhammed Ashim
    Animator
  • Iliya Shekerdzhiev
    Lightning
  • Aleksandar Gabrovski
    Animation Artist
  • Mykhailo Tyshchuk
    Music Remastering
  • Maria Pavlova
    Actors
    Gertrud
  • Rumen Barosov
    Actors
    Elderly Michael
  • Margarita Koleva
    Actors
    Elderly Hanna
  • Nikolay Nikolaev
    Actors
    Young Michael
  • Ralitsa Tsvetkova
    Actors
    Julia
  • Iliya Shekerdzhiev
    Actors
    Middle-aged Michael
  • Daniela Daskalova
    Actors
    Middle-aged Hanna
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 13, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    Austria
  • Country of Filming:
    Austria
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - GRG1 Stubenbastei
Director Biography - Theodora Mileva

I’m Theodora Mileva, an 18-year-old from Sofia, Bulgaria, currently in my second year at GRG1 Stubenbastei in Vienna. I graduated from 73 SU "Vladislav Gramatik" and have always been passionate about art, especially literature, cinema, and theater.

This passion led me to create "ArtPath," Bulgaria's first podcast focused on culture and art beyond the country's borders (https://www.youtube.com/@ArtPathPodcast). My work spans experimental and documentary filmmaking, earning recognition in both Bulgarian and German competitions.

I’ve produced a series of short films featuring Bulgarian authors like Dimitar Dimov and Yana Yazova. Notable projects include “From-To” (https://youtu.be/gfGIffzcjPw?si=vaJAE_o-PLpz31RW), which won Best Cinematography at the 2023 Stara Zagora Youth Film Festival, and “Prima Vista” (https://youtu.be/odr1IDhsszo?si=wJx5_f0JpDTlTJLB), for which I received Best Actress and Best Director awards at this year’s festival.

Alongside filmmaking, I volunteer with the NGO "Social Hub," authoring Erasmus+ projects on art, ecology, and democracy. I am also the editor of We Matter magazine and a finalist in literary competitions like "Malki Poetiki" and "Sparks." Since 2023, I’ve been part of the literary class of German playwright Thomas Perle at Literaturhaus Wien. You can read my publication at Literaturhaus Wien here: https://www.literaturhaus-wien.at/magazin/aussichten/theodora-mileva/

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