Stroke

A couple that masters a fundamental crisis together is at the centre of the documentary AM SEIDENEN FADEN (2004). Filmmaker Katarina Peters and her husband Boris Babberkoff, a successful cellist from Hungary, travel to New York together shortly after their wedding. He wants to sign a record deal and she wants to do research for a new film. But Boris Babberkoff suffers a severe stroke there. He is in critical condition and at first can hardly move and can no longer speak. The director decides to document their problems, such as the financing of the treatment and its healing process, with a small video camera. They battle against fate together, refuse to accept the stroke and struggle to reach normality in everyday life for five years. Her film diary also shows her in her new role as the wife of a stroke patient. The film won a Silver Dove and three other prizes at the DOK Fest Leipzig.

This film exemplifies a new aesthetic with a mini DV camera. As a contrast to the video images, some of the director’s dream sequences are recorded in 35 mm and therefore have a completely different image quality. Peters is always close to her protagonist, but always turns around and comments on the current situation. This would not have been feasible with a traditional film crew, thus allowing for a relentless glimpse into their relationship. He accuses her that she is really only interested in her film. In her commentary she admits she feels aliened from her husband. Some reviewers found the subject too intimate, while others praised the obstinacy, courage and will to survive that set this film apart from many others. However, the mobility and constant availability of the small camera and the extensive lack of additional light have their price: suboptimal image quality, lack of contrasts and low resolution. However, this aspect was ignored by the film critics. The story was too touching for that.

Image © Katharina Peters Filmproduktion