about making and the sea

Three years ago my mother had a bloody stroke - that's basically a normal stroke, just that there's a lot of blood in your head, which breaks everything up until someone opens your head and takes it out. Doesn't sound like you're gonna get away with it, does it? Since then she has been sitting in a wheelchair, everyday things are only possible with help, and experiencing beautiful moments doesn't work without the right people who get you out of the rut. But sometimes these people have wishes that are not so easily fulfilled with a short ride in a wheelchair. But exactly for these other things in our story, there is the little bus Captain T. We drove with Captain T across Germany and accompanied three people who told us about their physical handicap. From Lake Constance to the sea and in between we helped them to make a big wish come true. The film gives the courage to believe in your own desires, no matter how far away they are. Courage to look for ways, the courage to start and courage to just do it! Courage to celebrate life, no matter what others think you are capable of.

  • Paul Herbig
    Director
  • Anne Katrin Ott
    Key Cast
    "Anne"
  • Martina Herbig
    Key Cast
    "Martina"
  • Negien Hoyer
    Key Cast
    "Neon"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Die Geschichte vom Machen und dem Meer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature, Student
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Roadmovie, Doku-Inszenierung
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 4 minutes 24 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 27, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    10,100 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 4k, 4096x1716
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:2,39
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Paul Herbig

I'm Paul, hi! I have two legs that carry me wherever I want. I can provide myself with food, go to the toilet, and generally all the things we don't really think about when it comes to restrictions because they are so self-evident. And I like making films. Documentary film shoots in a surgery room, cinematic details of a nuclear power plant server, or an advert with Manuel Neuer. But what of that actually counts? And that's why I'm making this film now.

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Director Statement

What would you do if today was your last day? A road trip inspired by misfortune and prejudices, fear and courage, the sea and the 'just do it' moment! - a tribute to life.

Three years ago my mother had a bloody stroke - that's basically a normal stroke, just that there's a lot of blood in your head, which breaks everything up until someone opens your head and takes it out. Doesn't sound like you're gonna get away with it, does it? Since then she has been sitting in a wheelchair, everyday things are only possible with help, and experiencing beautiful moments doesn't work without the right people who get you out of the rut. But sometimes these people have wishes that are not so easily fulfilled with a short ride in a wheelchair. My mother, for example, would like to go to the sea - with a half-sided paralysis and 600 km distance that’s not so easy. And if that already fails, there are certainly other people out there who have wishes they can't easily fulfill. Yes, there are, and in our story, they are called Anne-Katrin, Martina and Neon. And their wishes are at least as far away.

But in my life as a filmmaker, I have noticed that our profession often makes things possible that seem somehow far away and unattainable. And that's exactly what we made this film for. Step one: buy a handicapped-accessible bus. Step two: convince people of the idea and open many new doors. Step three: Insert the key, ignition, let the clutch come. But is that still a documentary? Somehow everything sounds so staged. Hereby I guarantee: Everything we have experienced is real, no moment is set, and I also had one of the most beautiful days of my life while shooting. Nevertheless, it's not a classic documentary film. There was no film team behind the camera, everyone who was "behind" the camera is also in the film, and the camera is the most natural object in the world. It gives this film an incredibly true and close character, which allows the audience to get very close themselves.

The film gives the courage to believe in your own desires, no matter how far away they are. Courage to look for ways, the courage to start and courage to just do it! Courage to celebrate life, no matter what others think you are capable of.