Martyrs of Striving

When Death wants to bring the plague to Württemberg in 1349, he has not reckoned with the two guard soldiers Volckel and Utz, who engage him in a heated argument about plague ordinances and entry regulations.

"Martyrs of Striving" is a black-humored reckoning with the trials and tribulations of global Corona politics, and at the same time a passionate plea for solidarity and empathy in times of crisis.

  • Alexander Fischer (Peskador)
    Director
    Anatomy of a Worldview, Salon Styx, The Sound of Peskador, Carnival of Waiters, My radical roommate, Discord of the Hyenas, The Last Cake of Carlo Cantuccio
  • Alexander Peskador
    Writer
  • Maximilian Albrecht Ernst Sachße
    Producer
    Abrechnung am Totenbett
  • Paul Hartmann
    Producer
    Störenfrieda
  • Benedikt Paulun
    Key Cast
    "Volckel"
    Wolfman Solutions
  • Gunther Nickles
    Key Cast
    "Utz"
    Kripo Ulm
  • Vincent Eckert
    Director of Photography
    The Ticket, Bobby Braun
  • Jhana Nelles
    Production Designer
  • Leif Eisenberg
    Costume Designer
  • Fabian Pfriem
    Gaffer
  • Simon Schares
    Editor
    Die Verwaltung des Internets, Der dunkle Ritter
  • Daniel Kling
    Sound Designer
  • Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
    Film School
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Märtyrer der Strebsamkeit
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Period Piece, Satire
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 9, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
  • 55. Internationale Hofer Filmtage
    Hof
    Germany
    October 27, 2021
    World Premiere
    2nd Place (Audience Award)
  • 27. Filmschau Baden-Württemberg
    Stuttgart
    Germany
    December 5, 2021
  • 10. Kurzfilmtag
    Karlsruhe
    Germany
    December 21, 2021
  • 35. Bolzano Film Festival Bozen
    Bolzano
    Italy
    April 9, 2022
    Italian Premiere
    Kurzes über'n Brenner / Corti in trasferta
  • 45. Grenzland-Filmtage Selb
    Selb
    Germany
    April 21, 2022
  • 7. Filmfest Bremen
    Bremen
    Germany
    April 22, 2022
  • 22. Landshuter Kurzfilmfestival
    Landshut
    Germany
    April 28, 2022
  • 28. Kurzfilmtage Thalmässing
    Thalmässing
    Germany
    May 13, 2022
    Audience Award
  • 46. Open Air Filmfest Weiterstadt
    Weiterstadt
    Germany
    August 12, 2022
  • 16. Fünf Seen Filmfestival
    Starnberg
    Germany
    August 25, 2022
  • 18. Budapest Short Film Festival
    Budapest
    Hungary
    August 30, 2022
  • 50. Festival of Nations
    Lenzing
    Austria
    September 25, 2022
  • 15. filmzeit
    Kaufbeuren
    Germany
    October 2, 2022
  • 15. Festival européen du film fantastique de Strasbourg
    Strasbourg
    France
    September 24, 2022
    French Premiere
  • 11. Cinema Next Tour
    Vienna
    Austria
    October 12, 2022
  • 3. Kurz.Film.Zuckerl
    Waidhofen/Ybbs
    Austria
    October 14, 2022
  • 30. EnergaCAMERIMAGE
    Torun
    Poland
    November 12, 2022
    Polish Premiere
    Film and Art School Etudes Competition
Director Biography - Alexander Fischer (Peskador)

Alexander Peskador, born in August 1993 in Vienna, commited himself to filmmaking after graduating with a Bachelors degree at the Institute for Theater, Film and Media Studies in Vienna. He is currently studying at the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

At the beginning of the year 2020, it was hard to imagine what a huge wedge the COVID-19 pandemic would drive into our society. Everyone has their opinion on this disease and none seems to be compatible with anyone else's. One could almost say that we are more busy fighting each other than the pandemic. This leads to the following question: Is it even possible to talk about such a polarising topic in the cinema - a place that was created to bring people together?

Yes, we believe it is possible, namely in the guise of a historical film. Both, the epoch of the late Middle Ages and the genre of comedy serve us as alienating effects in the tradition of Bertolt Brecht. The plague, that struck Europe in the 14th century, serves us as a metaphor for the current pandemic. The guard soldiers Volckel and Utz represent us people who cannot stop arguing with each other even in the face of death.

Perhaps we will manage to laugh our way through this pandemic, and if our film can make even a small contribution to this, I am already overjoyed.