No Fear

I was able to inspire the community of one of Hamburg’s last occupied houses for our project.

The highly risky filming location—prone to power outages, cable fires, freezing temperatures, and a dilapidated structure in need of renovation—posed a significant challenge. It was cleared out, partially restored, and transformed into a livable space.

Although the tone of the story suggests desaturated imagery, we embraced a rich spectrum of colors: pastel tones in the fashion shots, and intense, almost overexposed hues in the cinematic scenes. The cool, austere charm of Eastern Bloc modernism served as my inspiration for a run-down setting marked by strong patina—reflecting the passive-aggressive character of the father while simultaneously allowing for poetic visuals within the decay. A heavy haze of cigarette smoke lingers over everything.

While Hamburg is widely recognized as a major hub for commercial film productions, we were able to uncover many lesser-known locations, crafting a unique perspective on the city.