The Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan recently invited two extraordinary storytellers to India: Steffie Niederzoll and Ulrich Schrauth. Niederzoll is the director of the acclaimed documentary film ‘Seven Winters in Teheran,’ which follows a harrowing tale of a female student named Reyhaneh Jabbari in Tehran who was hanged for murder for stabbing a man who tried to rape her in self-defense. The film has bagged several prestigious awards at various film festivals all across the globe. Steffi Niederzoll, who studied audio-visual media at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne and at the Escuela Internacional de Cine y Televisión in Cuba, is also involved in interdisciplinary artistic work, alongside her film work.
For Niederzoll, the journey of creating this film began with a love affair with an Iranian filmmaker residing in Germany due to restrictions in Iran. “While our relationship ended, the connection remained, leading to a pivotal moment when I met Shole, the mother of Reyhaneh,” Niederzoll recollects. “Shole’s story, encapsulating her daughter’s execution and subsequent activism against Iran’s justice system, struck a chord within me. Despite doubts about my ability to helm a documentary, especially given my background in fiction filmmaking and lack of fluency in Persian, I felt drawn to the project,” she further adds.
But, the decision to embark on this journey wasn’t immediate. Steffie mulled over the risks, especially considering the sensitive nature of the subject and the potential repercussions. But meeting Shole changed everything. “Despite her initial apprehension, our encounter was profound, a moment of connection amidst her years of surveillance and suspicion. Shole’s resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy, her transformation from despair to activism, fueled my determination to tell her story. Over five years, navigating challenges both logistical and emotional, the film took shape,” reveals Niederzoll.
The editing of the footage, spread across two years, was interspersed with shooting, allowing the narrative to evolve organically. Smuggling footage out of Iran, ensuring the safety of those involved, and maintaining secrecy were paramount for Steffie. The completed film, a German-French co-production, secured funding from various sources, including German and French film boards and European grants. Despite financial support, the journey was arduous. Upon release, the film faced hurdles. “Unsurprisingly, it is banned in Iran, and efforts to circulate it through other channels were met with swift censorship. Yet, messages from viewers who managed to watch it provided a glimmer of hope amidst the adversity,” explains Niederzoll.
Further reflecting on this experience, she observes, “I have learned that telling politically charged stories comes with its share of risks and challenges. But Shole’s resilience, her unwavering commitment to justice, inspires me to continue amplifying voices that demand to be heard.”
Schrauth, on the other hand, is an international curator, creative director and artist working in the field of immersive media. He is the artistic director for VRHAM! Virtual Reality & Arts Festival Hamburg, XR, and Immersive Programmer for the British Film Institute (BFI) and the London Film Festival. In addition, he oversees many international projects with virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, and acts as a speaker, moderator and jury member in this field.
Reflecting upon the advances in VR and 360 filming, Schrauth rejoices, “The inception of this stems from a desire to showcase new forms of storytelling, utilizing virtual reality (VR) and 360 filming. It’s a thrilling addition to, expanding the horizons of cinematic experiences. My aim has been to make these innovations accessible to the audience.” He further adds, “The thematic sections add to the clarity and help improve the level of engagement. They serve as entry points for viewers to explore diverse narratives. By breaking down the content into digestible segments, audiences can better understand the offerings and immerse themselves in the cinematic journey.”
VR and immersive storytelling have always intrigued Ulrich. “It’s actually stemming from my background in theater and performance. What sets these mediums apart is the level of engagement they offer. Unlike traditional cinema, viewers become active participants, influencing the narrative direction or interacting within a three-dimensional space. This dynamic aspect of storytelling, coupled with digital innovation, makes it a compelling avenue for exploration,” explains Schrauth who feels that navigating the transition from conventional filmmaking to VR poses unique challenges. “In VR, the viewer’s gaze cannot be directed, necessitating a different approach to capturing attention and guiding the narrative flow. Filmmakers must adapt to filming techniques suited for 360 environments, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience for the audience,” he opines.
He believes that collaborating with filmmakers entails discussing thematic resonance and the best presentation methods. “Subtitles in VR, for instance, must be seamlessly integrated to enhance rather than detract from the experience. It’s crucial to provide clear instructions and adequate support to ensure viewers can fully engage with the content,” explains Schrauth.
According to Ulrich, the future of VR holds immense potential for convergence with digital content and physical environments. “Technologies like the Apple Vision Pro headset signal a shift towards more integrated experiences, blurring the lines between the physical and virtual realms. As VR continues to evolve, the focus will likely shift towards the mixed reality experiences, offering unprecedented opportunities for artistic expression and storytelling,” sums up Schrauth.
The role of institutions like the Goethe-Institut in fostering cultural exchange cannot be overstated. Through initiatives like bringing the best of talent from Germany to India, such as Steffie Niederzoll and Ulrich Schrauth, the Goethe-Institut enables young minds in India to learn from and get inspired by international expertise. By bridging cultural and geographical boundaries, initiatives like these contribute to the enrichment of artistic practices and the nurturing of creative talent worldwide.