º»¹® ¹Ù·Î°¡±â ¸Þ´º ¹Ù·Î°¡±â

16th DMZ Docs(2024)

I AM DOCU



Annika MAYER

  • Germany
  • 2023
  • 67min
  • 15 +
  • DCP
  • color/black and white

Asian Premiere

Synopsis

Home Sweet Home is a film about the invisibility of domestic violence. Based on Super8 family archive, the director questions her grandmother Rose who continually dismantles the image of postwar West German family happiness. The film focuses on the discrepancy between appearance and remembered reality.

Review

 

The film opens with nostalgic home videos of the director's family, presenting an image of domestic harmony. As the narrative unfolds, it reveals the complexities beneath these recorded moments. The director's grandmother, viewing these old videos in the present, recalls memories not captured on film—unveiling life beyond the frame. Masterfully juxtaposing past and present, the film contrasts the happiness in home videos with undocumented domestic violence. This tension is emphasized through the interplay of grainy 8mm footage and contemporary reflections, reminding us of history's multifaceted nature. The documentary transforms records, testimony, and truth into a nuanced psychological exploration. It transcends family history, giving voice to the often invisible issue of ongoing domestic violence in society. This thought-provoking work challenges viewers to consider the disparity between recorded memories and lived experiences, offering a compelling meditation on family, memory, and the stories we choose to tell—or leave untold. The film's title Home Sweet Home, revealed at its conclusion, adds an intriguing layer to this exploration.​

Director

  • Annika MAYER

    Born in Berlin, Germany. Annika Mayer is a German filmmaker and editor with a PhD in social anthropology. Her debut as a director, Home Sweet Home (2023), was showcased at prestigious festivals such as IFFR and VdR.

Credit

  • ProducerAnnika MAYER, Jakob KRESE
  • Screenwriter Annika MAYER
  • Cinematography Jakob KRESE
  • Editor Annika MAYER
  • Music Gaston IBARROULE
  • Sound Andrew NORTON