In LFS Filmmaker Daniel Michalos’ STERNENKIND, expecting parents Julia and Hannes receive the worst news possible. After two trimesters, they learn that having contracted a lethal illness, the unborn child will slowly die within Julia. This harrowing news is the catalyst for the drama in the film, ultimately emerging from one simple question; What would you do after receiving such earth-shattering news? The answer to this question differs for Julia and Hannes and they soon begin to realise it when Hannes start having to commute to work after the couple move to the countryside to allow Julia to escape the expectations of her friends. This leaves Julia at home, slowly having to come to terms with what is taking place within her.
Although the focus of STERNENKIND remains on the life of the couple and the implication this pregnancy has, Michalos uses the film to highlight our disconnect with the nature around us, as the city they come from and the village they flee to frame their emotional states. A more fundamental question is also asked of both the characters and the audience, one which revolves around the evolution of religious teachings. In Ancient Greece, people believed that suffering happened without cause or reason as humans were the play things of the Gods, while modern thinking leans towards the simple notion that anything that happens, does so for a reason. As the film progresses, Julia and Hannes soon realise that they stand on opposing sides to this argument, creating further tension.
Shot in both colour and black and white, the film’s crew consists of Diana Dmitrievna Nilles as Producer, Iulian-Radu Ghelbereu as Editor and Tian Wang as Cinematographer. Having previously been screened at the Drama Short Film Festival, Athens International Film Festival and International Izmir Short Film Festival earlier this year, Michalos’ graduation film about love and loss screens at Filmschau Baden-Württemberg on the 1st December.
Photo Credit: Tian Wang
Written by Ben Corbett