Documentary film workshop in Basel

DOCUMENTARY FILM WORKSHOP: LONG-TERM SUPPORT – PROCESS AND CLOSE-UP

How does the observation of its protagonists become a cinematographic narrative? To what extent do filmmakers influence these personal processes? And how does the work of filmmaking influence the lives of the protagonists? The documentary film workshop, organised by Balimage, will provide answers to these and other questions.

In their films La Déposition and Naima, directors Claudia Marschal and Anna Thommen maintain a close relationship with their protagonists and accompany them through profound processes of transformation. For her project Naima, Anna worked in collaboration with her protagonist and also involved her in the editing process. In La Déposition, Claudia accompanies her cousin Emmanuel, who tells her about the deep wounds he suffered as a child.

In their films La Déposition and Naima, directors Claudia Marschal and Anna Thommen maintain a close relationship with their protagonists and accompany them through profound processes of transformation. For her project Naima, Anna worked in collaboration with her protagonist and also involved her in the editing process. In La Déposition, Claudia accompanies her cousin Emmanuel, who tells her about the deep wounds he suffered as a child.

This proximity, which is transformative for both the directors and the protagonists, will be the focus of this workshop. Claudia Marschal and Anna Thommen’s working methods and the different phases of their projects will be discussed in small groups with the filmmakers, using extracts from selected films.

Notes on the films and people:

– LA DÉPOSITION by Claudia Marschal, Critics’ Week Special Prize at the Locarno Festival 2024. Claudia, writer and director from Strasbourg, based in Paris (F). LA DÉPOSITION (2024), LIPSTICK (2022), IN OUR PARADISE (2019).

– NAIMA by Anna Thommen, premiering at DOK.Leipzig 2024, released in Swiss cinemas in spring 2025. Anna, writer and director from Basel (CH), NAIMA (2024), VOLUNTEER (2019), NEULAND (2013). Several festival prizes including the Basel Film Prize.

– Sebastian Sorg lives in Munich (Germany) and works as a creative producer and consultant specialising in material development.

Information and registration conditions

The language of the workshop will be German, with a translation to French. The participation to the workshop is free of charge. Registrations must be made until June 20, 2025, via office@balimage. Limited number of places.