Timeless documents on film
Land of the Raven
(Im Land des Raben)
Magical documentary. Powerful topics.
A film by Alexander K. Ammer
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In 1994 we reported on the consequences of rapid change in British Columbia, Canada. The topics covered are timeless and haunting: Gigantic deforestation, the struggle of indigenous peoples against discrimination, dispute over the return of stolen First Nations art, high immigration from Asia (e.g. Hong Kong), exploding real estate and the destruction wildlife habitat. Listen to the people from B.C. who share their great stories. Listen to German born bush pilot. Watch the Asian architect who works on North Americas largest construction project. A 'Namgis First Nation wood carver describes the humans as "riding a giant wave that they cannot control and which will crush and destroy them".
A deeply moving and entertaining film about BC, Canada, Vancouver Island and Vancouver.
Check out the youtube clip to discover how Vancouver changed within less than 100 years.
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The film ran on German TV, in the USA (PBS) and was shown at festivals. German film certificate (FBW) "valuable".
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Hollywood director John Landis (including Blues Brothers) judged: "well photographed and very interesting".
Nature next to the Wall
(Natur im Todesstreifen)
A film document of historical dimensions.
A film by Alexander K. Ammer
In 1992 we went on a discovery in a natural paradise that has long disappeared. There once was beautiful nature and wildlife, just next to military watchtowers, patrols of armed GDR soldiers and a deadly mined death strip.
The film demanded to "save what can still be saved". A vain hope. The euphoria of freedom destroyed the natural sanctuaries of the Cold War. The paradoxical gift of the iron curtain in the middle of Germany now only exists o film. The once thriving natural paradise with a endagered wildlife is long gone. It was once home to rare specifies such as black stork and black grouse. The film takes you back in time and might make you wonder.
A spectacular journey along 1,000 miles of a brutal border and a nature reserve.
A historic and cinematic discovery.
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The film ran on German TV and was shown at documentary film festivals.
Above & about Giesing
(Ueber Giesing)
Award-winning documentary.
A film by Alexander K. Ammer, Quang V. Bobrowski and Walter Wehmeyer
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Süddeutsche Zeitung called "Above & about Giesing" a subversive homeland film. We shot in 1990/91 and were happy that the documentary about the Munich district (Giesing) was rediscovered in 2021 in an art project and once again shown in Munich.
Chimney sweepers take the viewer on the roof-tops of Munich. The chimney sweepers tell their stories of the Giesing area. They take us to the Munich people. We discover people's private spaces, visit their views outside, experience traffic issues, learn about the people's fears and look into the famous 1860 Munich's football club stadium as well as into the homeless shelter. The film explores the heart of Munich.
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The film's topics are (unfortunately) still today's hot issues: Real estate and rent crisis, traffic congestion, refugees who were in those days called "asylum seekers" and growing homelessness.
Munich's citizens speak-out in this 35 minute short film.
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The entertaining film won several well-known film awards.
German film certificate (FBW) "highly valuable".
Price
Film festival
Oberhausen
Short film
price
Munich
Highly valuable
Munich Beer Experience & Museum (charitable association)
After 25 years ... moving pictures again:
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The non-profit and charitable association "Munich's Beer Experience and Museum" (MBEM eV) presents its first image film on the occasion of the Munich Schaeffler dance in 2019. Alexander K. Ammer is President of MBEM e.V. and co-founder.
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MBEM eV's target is to build an exciting Beer World in Munich. More information:
Forbidden pictures from our past
Pictures led a cameraman into jail - it's worth taking a closer look on what happend in Halle (S.) on June 17th, 1953
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Looking at old pictures can change our view on the past. Join me on a short tour through today's city of Halle (S.) and discover how courageous people protested against the communist regime in East Germany in 1953!
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AKAlytics presents four short video episodes:
Cheerful rebellion: Cheering people on the Halle market square. Pictures tell of the joy and hope of thousands of demonstrating women and men.
Jubilant youth: The image somewhat that looks like a black & white selfie. The shot is actually 70 years old and shows a group of young people cheering on the film team Albert Ammer and Jutta-Regina Lau. It seems as if some applauded directly the film team.
Women's Day: We visit the former gate of a women's prison. The film crew shot truly historic events: The film shows the peaceful and successful liberation of over 250 women imprisoned by the former communist government. We see women of all ages, full of joy and with smiles on their faces, running into freedom.
The Communists strike back: Dramatic scenes took place outside another prison in Halle. The "red ox" called prison would turn into an infamous and bloody location on June 17, 1953. Unarmed protesters found themselves in a hopeless David versus Goliath battle. Several demonstrators were brutally shot by communist security forces. The next day, cameraman Albert Ammer was thrown into a prison cell exactly at this location. He was sentenced to 3 years of jail time. Today, the memorial at "red ox" shows some of the filmed pictures in the permanent exhibition. Worth a visit!
