Vergiss Meyn Nicht

Lonely Oaks
A new community has emerged, thirty metres above the ground in the treetops of the Hambach Forest. In 2018, this site becomes the focus of climate policy disputes in Germany on account of a group of people who have got involved by living in self-built tree houses in a bid to prevent the threatened clearance of the forest. Film student Steffen Meyn documented these activists’ partly peaceful, partly radical, partly aggressive struggle against the destruction of nature over a period of two years with a 360-degree helmet camera. But then he fell from a tree during a police eviction and died.
This documentary by Meyn’s friends and fellow students Fabiana Fragale, Kilian Kuhlendahl and Jens Mühlhoff is based on his footage. In their film, the protagonist’s doubts come across just as clearly as does his friendly perseverance and his efforts to cope with the more militant aspects of the movement. In addition, the directors conducted interviews with activists on whom the experiences in “Hambi” have left their mark. How far, they ask, does activism need to go? And how far should it go?
by Fabiana Fragale, Kilian Kuhlendahl, Jens Mühlhoff
with Steffen Meyn, Alaska, Diam, Frodo, Lilie, Lola, Tuk, Wo
Germany 2023 German 100’ Colour World premiere | Debut film | Documentary Form

With

  • Steffen Meyn
  • Alaska
  • Diam
  • Frodo
  • Lilie
  • Lola
  • Tuk
  • Wo

Crew

Directors Fabiana Fragale, Kilian Kuhlendahl, Jens Mühlhoff
Screenplay Fabiana Fragale, Kilian Kuhlendahl, Jens Mühlhoff
Cinematography Carina Neubohn, Nora Daniels, Steffen Meyn
Editing Ulf Albert
Music Antonia de Luca, Caroline Kox
Sound Design Roland Musolff
Sound Kilian Kuhlendahl
Production Manager Eva Laass
Producers Knut Losen, Melanie Andernach

Fabiana Fragale

Born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1994, she has been studying at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne since 2015. Her documentary and fiction films focus chiefly on themes of anti-capitalism and intersectional feminism. In 2018, she co-founded the Polsprung artist collective.

Filmography (selection)

2017 The Zone; short film 2019 Lady Marmalade; short film 2022 Made in Germany; commercial film 2023 Con il pensiero rivolto al mare; short film · Der Frau ein Wolf; short film · Vergiss Meyn Nicht (Lonley Oaks); documentary, co-directors: Kilian Kuhlendahl, Jens Mühlhoff

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023

Kilian Kuhlendahl

After studying at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, Kilian Kuhlendahl has worked as a director and writer on films, audiobooks and graphic novels since 2017. As a member of the Polsprung artist collective, Kuhlendahl also creates installations and performance pieces.

Filmography

2013 Tröster(R); short film 2018 DEUS VULT!; short film 2019 Organesis – Endless Bliss; corporate video 2023 Vergiss Meyn Nicht (Lonley Oaks); documentary, co-directors: Fabiana Fragale, Jens Mühlhoff

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023

Jens Mühlhoff

Born in Wuppertal, Germany in 1991, he studied at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne from 2011 to 2018. As an artist, he is interested in public and semi-public spaces and thus the everyday implementation of politics. He has worked for several years as a director and writer on various film productions as well as artistic director on independent art projects.

Filmography (selection)

2014 Spuren der Gegenwart; short film 2016 Die Suche nach dem Plötzlichen; short film 2017 Einzimmerwohnung; short film 2023 Vergiss Meyn Nicht (Lonley Oaks); documentary, co-directors: Fabiana Fragale, Kilian Kuhlendahl

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023