During the Award Ceremony on Tuesday, 21st november, the jury awarded The Congo Tribunal with the Zurich film prize with the following statement:
"The filmmaker ennobles the cinema and does what reality can not do."
CINEMA RELEASE in Germany!
Today, THE CONGO TRIBUNAL, has its official cinema release in Germany!
International Film Premiere & Honourable Mention @ DOK Leipzig 2017- International Competition
(@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
On october 31st, our documentary “The Congo Tribunal” had its international premiere in the International Competition at DOK Leipzig 2017. With more than 800 people in the audience and a crowded second screening one day later, the film has been on of the most popular documentaries during this years’ festival (>1000 viewers and an additional 3rd screening as “DokBuster”). The Frankfurter Neue Presse stated: “A monumental performance sending a wake-up call to the global community.” During the Award Ceremony on Saturday, 04th november, the jury of the International Competition (Anne Clark, Heddy Honigman and Luciano Rigolini) awarded the film with a “Honourable Mention”:
For the intelligence that the filmmaker used to construct a filmical device (with the precision of a Swiss watch!), enabling us to understand the intricate situation in today’s Congo. Using a theatrical setting for a fictional tribunal process he creates not only an intense cinematic dramaturgy but also invents a pedagogical concept, giving us the possibility to read clearly the responsibility of the Multi-nationals and Western and Congo governments for the massacres of thousands of people. It is an important, necessary and militant work.
Due to the great rush, one additional screening was arranged as a "DokBuster" on Sunday the at the 60th International Leipzig Festival for documentary and animated film. (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
See all Award winners here
TRANSMEDIA EXHIBITION @DOK NEULAND/ DOK Leipzig 2017
(@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
Accompanying to the International Premiere of the film, DOK Neuland, the interactive section of DOK Leipzig which is dedicated to the future of storytelling, showcased our transmedia exhibition “The Congo Tribunal” for the very first time. Displayed at Messehof, 3000 guests visited the exhibition during five festival days and experienced the VR installation, the game WITNESS J and discovered the web archive, where the Hearings in Bukavu and Berlin are presented. The Congo Tribunal Transmedia is funded by the TURN Fund of the Kulturstiftung des Bundes, supported by BPB – Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Pro Helvetia, Schweizer Kulturstiftung and the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius.
3000 people experienced the VR Installation during the five festival days in Leipzig . (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
(@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
Doublestrike for "The Congo Tribunal" @ DOK Leipzig
We are proud to announce that our film "The Congo Tribunal" is selected for the "International Competition". The transmedia project is part of the "Official Interactive Selection" and will be shown @ DOK Neuland, DOK LEIPZIG plattform for interactive projects.
Screenings of the film:
31.10.17 19:30 @ Cinestar 8
01.11.17 22:30 @ Cinestar 6
For tickets click here
The transmedia project will be shown from:
31.10-04.11.2017
12:00-20:00 DOK Neuland @ Messehof
free entry. For more information visit
WORLDPREMIERE @ LOCARNO FILM FESTIVAL
Numerous People rushed into the Casinò Lugano to experience the first public screening together with the film crew. (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
On august 6th, our documentary “The Congo Tribunal” had its World Premiere at the „Semaine de la Critique“ in Locarno. Presented by director Milo Rau and the whole production crew, the sold out screenings attracted the attention of a major audience. Accompanied by the Tribunal President Jean-Louis Gilissen, Jury Member Colette Braeckmann and presidential candidate Vital Kamerhe, the film encouraged further widespread discussions. And even Simonetta Sommaruga, the swiss minister of justice, who attended the premiere, stated afterwards: „As a modest measure, the Federal Council proposes that in the future, commodity companies will have to disclose their payments to state governments. “
"The film "The Congo Tribunal" is an overwhelming document and a complex analysis of the conditions in that country on the African continent that has such an abundance of mineral resources and is therefore characterized by a brutal neo-colonial spirit.
Brigitte Häring, Semaine de la Critique
Due to the great rush, two additional screenings were arranged at the 70th Filmfestival del Locarno. (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
On the occasion of the first public screening, the SZ wrote: “The film pushes the audience directly into the horror”. The WOZ commented: “The Congo Tribunal” is an extensive intervention into reality, which is not terminated yet.” And the Blog Lost Dramaturgin International proclaimed: „See this film! If nothing else, see this film, because what it says is so so important.” Milo Rau explained to the Schweizer Radio SRF: „The film made the impossible possible. The government has been accused, two ministers had to step down. The people realize: Change is Possible.”
For more Information visit
THE CONGO TRIBUNAL@DRC: „A MODEL FOR THE COUNTRY“
MILO RAU AND TEAM SCREEN „THE CONGO TRIBUNAL“ FOR PARTICIPANTS, WITNESSES, EXPERTS AND AFFECTED CITIZENS IN THE DR CONGO
During a seven day visit, director Milo Rau and his team toured around the Democratic Republic of Congo for previews of his film „The Congo Tribunal“. The five screenings were packed and several experts praised the project as a „model“ for real tribunals in order to end impunity and start a process of reconciliation in the country, which is troubled by twenty years of civil war leaving 6 million people dead.
„Packed screenings, followed by long and emotional discussions: Previews of„The Congo Tribunal“ in the DRC (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
The discussions after the screenings seemed to be an outlet for the audience to express their problems, worries and sacrifices during the last years. The audience also expressed their hope that the artistic project by Milo Rau will have a judicial follow up in form of “real” tribunals in the country. Maitre Sylvestre Bisimwa, the Congolese lawyer who performed as a prosecutor in the “Congo Tribunal”, proposed exactly that and asked the filmmakers to provide him with a Swahili version of the film as soon as possible in order to organize local screenings and discussion as a preparation for local tribunals.
Belgian journalist Colette Braeckman, lawyer Maitre Bisimwa, director Milo Rau and the producers Arne Birkenstock and Olivier Zobrist during a press conference in Bukavu. (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Patricia Corniciuc)
Director Milo Rau was deeply touched by these reactions to his film: “I was a bit afraid to show the film to its protagonists, since a 100minute version of a tribunal which lasted for several days always means a harsh reduction of events. I am relieved that people here reacted thoroughly positive and I find it wonderful that Sylvestre Bisimwa wants to use it as a model for the upcoming path to reconciliation, truth and justice in his troubled country”. Fruitmarket CEO and producer Arne Birkenstock added that he wants to provide the country with Swahili-versions of the film as soon as possible. Birkenstock, being a documentary director himself, added: “It is a rare thing that documentary filmmakers not only manage to describe reality but also to change it to the better. We will do our best to support Mr. Bisimwa in his effort to put up real tribunals throughout the country.”
Director Milo Rau was deeply moved by the strong and positive reactions to his film. (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
The tour started with a preview in front of 1500 people in the place, where the Congo Tribunal took place in 2015: The screening at Collège Alfajiri in Goma was attended by Deputy Governor of the province of Kivu Sud, Gabriel Kalonda, the presidential candidate of the oppositional UDP, Vital Kamerhe and other experts and representatives of the region. For another screening in the village of Mushinga, hundreds of peasants and artisanal miners, who are directly affected by the close by concession of the Canadian mining company BANRO and the consequential expulsions and conflicts, attended the screening.
Milo Rau waiting for the screening in front of peasants and artisanal miners in the village of Mushinga. (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
After a third screening in the rebel town Walungu, the team returned to Bukavu where they were invited to screen the film in the world famous Panzi Hospital of Dr. Denis Mukwege. Due to the huge interest the screening raised, it had to be moved to a nearby church, where 3000 people attended the preview. In the discussion after the screening, Mr. Mukwege praised the film as a “important and priceless contribution to our country”. During a last screening in Goma, Daniel Ruiz, Chef de Mission of the UN in the region, stated that the outcome of the film overcame his highest expectations and encouraged Bisimwas idea, to establish “real” tribunals on a local level throughout the country.
Famous Dr. Denis Mukwege praises “The Congo Tribunal” in the discussion with Director Milo Rau, presidential candidate Vital Kamerhe and the Belgian journalist and expert on the congo, Colette Braeckman. (@2017 The Congo Tribunal / Arne Birkenstock)
“The Congo Tribunal” will have its world premiere at the Semaine de la Critique at the Locarno Festival and is invited to several other festivals throughout the world, before its theatrical release in Germany and Switzerland in November. With the film, a huge transmedia site will be released, which contains the graphic novel game “witness J”, an abundant archive (“the Congo files”) and a virtual reality installation.
Sneak peak in Eastern Congo
Once again, Milo Rau, Arne Birkenstock and his team are off to the Congo. This time to give participants of the documentary "The Congo Tribunal"a first sneak peak.
In 2015 the team spend several weeks in the Congo on a lengthy local research with the camera, going after the question why have more than 6 Million people been killed in the Congo … almost unnoticed and no one has been held accountable for it? A fact that incited the Swiss theatre director Milo Rau to stage a tribunal and to shoot a documentary. For the first time witnesses, victims as well as politicians get to see the documentary … we will show their reactions here in the next days.
"The Congo Tribunal" selected for "Semaine de la Critique"in Locarno
we are happy to announce that „The Congo Tribunal“ will have its premiere at the „Semaine de la Critique“ in Locarno. The first screening will be on Sunday, August 6th at 11:00 am. A second screening will be on Monday, August 7th at 6:30 pm.
For more info, click here
FFA funding for CENTURY OF WOMEN
We are happy to announce that the FFA funded our project CENTURY OF WOMEN, directed by the award winning German director Uli Gaulke. The film tells the stories of 5 wonderful and lively centenarian women from Japan, India, Cuba, the US and Germany.
The production will start in Autumn 2017 and is distributed by Deutschfilm GmbH.
click HERE for the oficial results.
MAMACITA selected for DOK.Incubator 2017
Among 7 other projects, DOK.Incubator has selected MAMACITA by José Pablo Torrescano for this years workshop. Experts from europe and the US will participate as mentors and focus on dramaturgy, distribution and marketing.
Since the foundation of DOK.Incubator, various projects of the workshop have been placed at relevant festivals such as Sundance, IDFA or HOT DOCS.
The FIlm is a Fruitmarket Arts & Media production in Co-Production with Taskovski Film.
For more information about this years workshop visit:
SCHLAGERLAND nominated for ROMY- Award
Arne Birkenstocks documentary SCHLAGERLAND is nominated for the Austrian Film Award ROMY in the category "Best TV-Documentary".
The 90 minute documentary explores the personal stories behind the music, travels to provincial stages and major cities, talks to producers and performers.
The award-gala will take place in Vienna on April 20th.
THE CONGO TRIBUNAL in Postproduction
Postproduction of our Film THE CONGO TRIBUNAL started.
Milo Rau‘s THE CONGO TRIBUNAL examines the causes and background to this war in the Great Lakes region in a unique and stunningly political crossmedia art project.
Foto by Thomas Schneider
Arne Birkenstocks new documentary "Schlagerland" completed
Germany is the land of "Schlager"- traditional german pop-music. In Arne Birkenstocks new Film, he explores the phenomenon through the eyes of artists, fans and producers.
The Film is produced by C-Films Germany for the public broadcaster SWR and will be screened on February, 22nd on ARD/Das Erste.
Congolese artist Yves Kolundwa in Cologne for our transmedia-project "The Congo Tribunal"
The Congolese artist and political illustrator Yves Kolundwa came to Cologne to work on our transmedia-project "The Congo Tribunal".
The Project consists of cinema documentary, an interactive web format with an accompanying VR-experience, a book, a journal and a panel tour with experts through Germany, Switzerland and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in autumn next year.
Together with us and the independent digital studio MONOKEL, Yves Kulondwa worked out the concept art for the digital narration.
For further information visit:
www.the-congo-tribunal.com and www.monokel.de
Praktikum: Recherche und Konzeption von Kino-Dokumentarfilmen
Wir suchen ab sofort eine Praktikantin oder einen Praktikanten für den Bereich Dokumentarfilmregie und -Konzeption bei Arne Birkenstock und der Fruitmarket Kultur und Medien GmbH!
Praktikumsbeginn: ab sofort, ab 1.10. oder 1.11..2016
Praktikumszeitraum: mindestens 3 Monate
Firma: Fruitmarket Kultur und Medien GmbH
Ansprechpartner: Arne Birkenstock (Autor, Regisseur, Produzent)
Standort: Maastrichter Straße 45, 50672 Köln, Deutschland
Bewerbungsschluss: 30.9.16
Für die Mitarbeit bei der Recherche, Konzeption und Vorbereitung unserer Filme suchen wir einen ideenreichen, selbstständigen Praktikanten. Das Praktikum dauert mindestens drei Monate. Auf Wunsch kann das Praktikum in Teilzeit (2-3 Tage pro Woche) abgeleistet werden.
Die Fruitmarket Kultur und Medien GmbH ist eine kleine Produktionsfirma und produziert seit 10 Jahren Dokumentarfilme vor allem für das Kino. Unsere Produktionen wie „12 TANGOS“, "CHANDANI UND IHR ELEFANT", „SOUND OF HEIMAT“ und „BELTRACCHI – DIE KUNST DER FÄLSCHUNG“ liefen erfolgreich im Kino und wurden vielfach ausgezeichnet (zwei davon mit dem „Deutschen Filmpreis“). Zur Zeit befinden wir uns in der Entwicklung, Finanzierung, Produktion und Postproduktion verschiedener Kinostoffe mit den Regisseuren Arne Birkenstock, Yasemin & Nesrin Samdereli, Milo Rau, Uli Gaulke und anderen.
Wir suchen eine Person mit etwas Lebenserfahrung (z.B. erste Studien- oder Berufserfahrungen), pfiffigen Ideen und Spaß am Dokumentarfilm für eine anspruchsvolle Mitarbeit an anspruchsvollen Filmen. Die Fähigkeit selbständig mitzuarbeiten ist in unserer kleinen Firma unbedingt notwendig, genauso wie ein gewisses Talent zur Recherche. Führerschein und Fremdsprachen-kenntnisse sind außerdem hilfreich, noch wichtiger ist die Gabe, vernünftige und gut lesbare Texte in deutscher Sprache zu formulieren. Spezielle Erfahrungen im Filmbereich sind hilfreich, aber keine zwingende Voraussetzung - dazu dient ja das Praktikum.
Ort des Praktikums ist Köln.
Wir bitten um eine aussagekräftige Bewerbung mit Anschreiben und Lebenslauf bis spätestens zum 30.9.2016 per Mail oder Post an die
Fruitmarket Kultur und Medien GmbH
z.Hd. Arne Birkenstock
Maastrichter Strasse 45,
50672 Köln
Mail: office@fruitmarket.de
„The show must go on“ shooting in L.A. started.
Shooting in Hollywood for our feature documentary „the show must go on“, written and directed by Uli Gaulke started this week.
Photos by Konrad Waldmann
„Beltracchi- The Art of Forgery“ awarded at „Master of Art Film Festival“
Our Documentary „Beltracchi -The Art of Forgery „ won this years award for best documentary in Fine Art and Photography at „The Master of Arts Film Festival“ in Sofia, Bulgaria.
"4500 Miles of Homesickness" on television
Seven years ago, Jürgen Kura and Arne Birkenstock accompanied german teenagers on their student exchange program to China.
WDR television will broadcast all four episodes of our series "4500 Miles of Homesickness" on Christmas Day (25.12.15) from 11:40 to 13:35.
For more information, visit the WDR program preview
"The Congo Tribunal" in post-production
Director Milo Rau and Editor Anke Trojan started working with 250 hours of filmmaterial shot during two months of research, four weeks of documentary filming and the two large tribunals on-location in Bukavu and Berlin.