VFF Documentary Film Production Award for A NEARLY NORMAL LIFE
From A NEARLY NORMAL LIFE (c) DOK.fest München
For the eighth time the VFF Documentary Production Award will be presented at DOK.fest München. The award, endowed with 7,500 euros, is donated by the VFF Verwertungsgesellschaft der Film- und Fernsehproduzenten mbH and honours the special role of producers in documentary film. This year, producers Ulla Lehmann and Andrea Roggon were honoured for the film A NEARLY NORMAL LIFE (DAS FAST NORMALE LEBEN) by director Stefan Sick. Ulla Lehmann and Andrea Roggon produced the film through their company AMA FILM.
Over the course of two years, the documentary follows the daily lives of four young girls with all their ups and downs. Separated from their parents and living in a group home for children and young people, they search for acceptance and a sense of security. The film, whose emotional impact is hard to ignore, celebrates the girls and their willpower.
From the jury statement:“How many days of filming will it take? Can the project be completed with the available budget? Will the protagonists stick with it or will they drop out along the way? Andrea Roggon and Ulla Lehmann embarked on this journey with an uncertain outcome, invested considerable funds of their own from AMA FILM, and enabled director Stefan Sick to accompany four carefully selected girls from difficult family backgrounds for two years in a group foster home. In the everyday life of their residential group, in crisis and conflict situations, in hope and disappointment, Sick's camera is sensitive, dense, but always respectful, allowing us to empathise and hope, reading the young faces and condensing A NEARLY NORMAL LIFE of the girls into an emotionally moving piece of documentary cinema.“
This year's jury consisted of Nicole Leykauf (producer and managing director of Leykauf Film), Thomas Frickel (writer, director and producer) and last year's winner Oliver Stoltz (producer).
About the VFF Documentary Production Award: The production of documentary films is often characterised by uncertainties and incalculable costs. An outstanding production is therefore characterised by courage, high commitment and assertiveness. The VFF Documentary Film Production Award has been honouring this work since 2018 and is awarded annually at DOK.fest München.
Dr. Albrecht Bischoffshausen (Managing Director, VFF – German Association of Film and Television Producers):“The film allows viewers to participate in the lives of four girls who have had a very difficult start in life in an impressive manner. But for a long time it was uncertain whether A NEARLY NORMAL LIFE could be made. The producers had the courage to take on this long-term project and take a financial risk. Thanks to their great commitment, we can now see this moving film. Congratulations on this production achievement!“
The VFF Documentary Production Award ceremony will take place on Thursday, 15 May at 8 pm in the Audimax of the HFF Munich. The winners will receive their awards in person. The world premiere of A NEARLY NORMAL LIFE will take place on 11 May at 3 pm at City-Kinos.
