Die Bürgschaft
Nominated for the Human Rights Film Award and internationally acclaimed with multiple awards.
"I am prepared for death, nor pray,"
Replied that haughty man, "to live;
Enough, if thou one grace wilt give
For three brief suns the death delay
To wed my sister - leagues away;
I boast one friend whose life for mine,
If I should fail the cross, is thine."
The tyrant mused, - and smiled, - and said
With gloomy craft, "So let it be;
Three days I will vouchsafe to thee.
But mark - if, when the time be sped,
Thou fail'st - thy surety dies instead.
His life shall buy shine own release;
Thy guilt atoned, my wrath shall cease."
His friend embraced - No word he said.,
But silent to the tyrant strode -
The other went upon his road.
Ere the third sun in heaven was red,
The rite was o'er, the sister wed;
And back, with anxious heart unquailing,
He hastes to hold the pledge unfailing.
Two refugee girls in Berlin swap identities so one of them can see her boyfriend one last time before being deported.
But when her loyal friend is mistakenly arrested in her place, the clock starts ticking.
Will she manage to save her – and what will it cost her and all of us?
A poetic and political tale about friendship, sacrifice, and the quiet power of courage.
Behind the scenes
My short Die Bürgschaft turned Schiller’s ballad about friendship into a refugee drama. The diverse team from all over the world closely worked together with refugees living in Berlin shelters.
They took over key positions in the production, played themselves or police officers and airport workers who manage deportations. And something powerful happened: The project became a space of mutual trust and courage. We won over 30 awards all around the world and together launched the social media campaign #stand up in solidarity with refugees.
Pictures are taken by ©Arata Mori
