Private Project

The Night is Young

As she walks alone through the streets of a big city, a young woman experiences an unexpected and unsettling encounter. Her journey becomes a poignant reflection on fear, resilience, and the silent dangers women face in everyday life.

  • Nikolas Mengel
    Director
    BRING ME HOME
  • Nikolas Mengel
    Writer
  • Cristina Torres-Cáceres
    Writer
  • Anastasia Shikina
    Producer
  • Andrei Matalyha
    Producer
  • Francesco Volpe
    Producer
  • Nikolas Mengel
    Producer
  • Clara Balducelli
    Executive Producer
  • Isabel Dornheim
    Key Cast
  • Amerigo Biadaioli
    Cast
  • Stefan G.
    Cast
  • Andrei Matalyha
    Director of Photography
  • Diego Bellante
    Editor
  • Matthis Maier
    First Assistant Camera
  • Tamara Petielina
    First Assistant Camera
  • Tijana Mirjacic
    Second Assistant Camera
  • Artem Funk
    Production Sound Mixer
  • Sanipt Palakkal
    Gaffer
  • Pavel Stánkus
    Spark
  • Jonah Buhat Gardose
    Sound Designer
  • Yaroslav Bondarenko
    Colorist
  • Shehab Gamal
    Special Thanks
  • Timm Gillner
    Special Thanks
  • Pavlo Shturniev
    Special Thanks
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 19, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    700 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    English, German, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Nikolas Mengel

I am an Italian-German filmmaker deeply passionate about science fiction and stories that push the boundaries of human experience. I find inspiration in the unknown, crafting narratives that challenge perceptions and invite reflection. My work spans from intimate short films like Bring Me Home (2022) and The Night Is Young (2024) to experimental music videos, where I constantly explore new techniques and dramatic forms.

Berlin has been a pivotal chapter in my journey, allowing me to collaborate on international productions and immerse myself in the creative processes of directors like Danielle Levitt, Timm Gillner and Ezra Tsegaye. These experiences sharpened my eye for detail and deepened my commitment to storytelling.

When I’m not on set, I find joy in photography and music—playing the piano and guitar fuels my creativity, often influencing the tone and rhythm of my films. Filmmaking is for me a continuous experiment, where technology, emotion, and imagination hopefully converge to create something unique and true.
Currently, I am refining my craft at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia - National Film school in Rome.

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Director Statement

This project was born from a deep reflection on a pervasive issue: the silent but omnipresent fear all women face in their daily lives. Rather than focusing on the tragic extremes often depicted in media, I wanted to explore a quieter, yet universally unsettling moment—being followed by a stranger. It's a scenario that has become almost normalized for many young women today, yet it speaks volumes about a broader culture of male dominance that continues to persist globally.

Inspired by filmmakers like Gaspar Noé and Cristian Mungiu, I wanted to experiment with the immersive potential of a long take sequence. The choice of this technique isn’t just a stylistic preference—it mirrors the relentless tension and vulnerability of the protagonist's experience, drawing the audience into her world without offering a moment to breathe or escape.

At its core, this film is also a testament to collaboration. It represents my desire to create something meaningful with the talented friends and colleagues I’ve had the privilege of working with during my time in Berlin. Shot as a no-budget project, this film embodies a raw and spontaneous energy that reflects our collective passion for storytelling.

Lastly, crafting an international project allowed me to explore the interplay of multiple languages and cultural nuances. It was a challenge that pushed me creatively, but also highlighted the universal nature of the story—a narrative that transcends borders and speaks to shared human experiences. This film is both a question and a mirror, inviting audiences to confront a reality that too often goes unnoticed.