Experiencing Interruptions?

Silence

A philosophical movie on silence and time passing by....
Inspired by a few youngsters in a coffee bar talking about aging, a middle aged man sinks into the idyllic surrounding of a lake. The lake is shown in the most beautiful colors of autumn. At this place the man seems to have turned into an old man who lingers and enjoys life at that unique spot. His thoughts and encounters at the lake seem to be inseparably linked with the man in the coffee bar and its visitors - This peaceful place at the lake is more eventful as initially thought: From a love story of a young couple on a bench and a chased jogger to a little boy and all the emotions which the old man finds out in his newspaper. Is it the yearning for silence and slowing down which keep directing the man's thoughts in the coffee bar to this very special place at the lake while running the rat race of daily life? "Silence" is an homage to life which seems to pass for all too soon. A plea to live for the moment and to pause in order to perceive the seemingly little everyday occurrences. For beyond stress and hectic activity there exists perhaps this very special place which is once in a while worth being visited to be able to experience the sweet here and now with gratitude.

  • Erik Borner
    Director
  • Erik Borner
    Writer
  • Stefan Friedrich
    Producer
  • Marianne Sägebrecht
    Key Cast
    "lady at the lake"
    Bagdad Cafe, The War of The Roses, Sugar Baby, The Circle
  • Michael Mendl
    Key Cast
    "man at the Lake"
    Downfall, A Cure of Wellness, Wunderkinder The last Day of Willy Brandt, Fritz Lang, Amen
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Stille
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama, family
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    DIGITAL
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • atlas international film
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Erik Borner

• „Silence“ is his film debut ass director
• Since 1992 in front of and behind the camera in almost all film-professions as an actor, cinematographer, scriptwriter, editor and music-composer.
• Diverse short-length films and full-length documentaries
• Awarded as an exemplary director at the 8th-Youth-Film-Days in Frankfurt / Germany for „Schlag 9“ (short) 1997
• Awarded with the ITVA Award for his documentary "Everyone can do something“

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

For many years I have been observing the growing discontent and the little and bigger conflicts widespread in all social classes. It seems like people have forgotten how to be human in our ever so hectic and remote-controlled world.

Long ago the old man at the lake learnt that it does not take much to be happy. Amidst the meditative atmosphere of the picturesque autumn scenery he savors the moment which is not appreciated often anymore in our every day life - the every day life personified by the man in the coffee bar. 

My film is meant as an invitation to rediscover the beauty of the moment.
 Within one single moment of laughing out loud or in a moment of silence lies life in its entire intensity and which the majority of our society is unfortunately not aware of.
I think, we are simply rushing through our life and at the same time we are yearning for the moment: A good conversation, a wonderful song, the smile of a child – also the one in ourselves – a stroll through nature or an inspiring film. 

I believe that this vision, i.e. the rediscovery of outer and inner silence, enjoying the precious moments in life, has meanwhile become a great challenge in our society. The rediscovery of the here and now though is essential for the survival of our society and is being aroused again by our film.