A summer’s day on Dortmund’s bikeways will bring them together.
This is the self-hosted, data-secure German video in 360p mini resolution.
The full 2K splendour can be found on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram.
“The Phoenix Connection”
(working title)
A summer’s day in the year 2027 in Westphalia’s metropolis told in 90 minutes, shot without any tricks but with great scenery as well as lots of movement. The indie feature tells a story of alienation and community, AI and spirituality, deprivation and joy – and a couple crossing each other’s paths again and again.
a film from our neighbourhood
The wilful sequence of sometimes more, sometimes less everyday encounters carries us through transformed steel plants and the valley of river Emscher. Along real routes on urban bikeways are many panoramas begging to be filmed.
You’ve never seen the city like this before!
And can you think of another cycling film off the top of your head?
please support our film
Our project is not eligible of film funding, thus we rely on private investments.
With your support, the film will become even better!
What are the bare minimum costs?
If we want to pay halfway fairly, we’ll need at least 35.000 €:
◆ 3.000 € for technical equipment
◆ 2.000 € for music licensing
◆ 28.000 € for the actors
◆ 2.000 € for miscellaneous
The screenwriting, directing and producing are not yet included.
For comparison: A 90-minute TV crime movie costs 1.000.000 €.
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Why not a classical crowdfunding with perks?
Because it’s more complicated and expensive than you think!
Imagine you gave €100 on a platform to get DVD + printed screenplay in reward. The payment services pinch off 3-5 %, the crowdfunding platforms up to 10 %. What’s more, revenue boards want to profit as well (up to 27 % VAT in Europe) because small perks turn an apparent donation into a commercial purchase.
In the end, the campaign will receive 50-55 € and toil away on paper work.
That’s why we suggest, that e.g. you give €50 without a return and thus taxfree
out of generosity and in the knowing that you support of a lifelong dream. Later, you’ll be able to buy DVD + screenplay for €35 – and still have saved €15! Treat yourself with it — or top up your donation! ;-)
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How will we show our appreciation?
Every donation supports our labour of love and we’ll include you in our prayers. Donations of 50+ € get you official thanks in the end credits, if you like.
If you’re fortunate enough to bring in larger sums, please contact us beforehands, we could talk about you becoming an executive or co-producer.
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crowdfunding
donate directly
via SEPA, Credit Card, Apple & Google Pay
donate indirectly via PayPal @wolkner
The US production company, Tremonia LLC, has no PayPal account of its own. Therefore, if you’d like to send funds in support using this payment method, send it fiduciarily to filmmaker Martin Wolkner, who’ll forward it to Tremonia.
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Ada
cast wanted
This project is looking for filming in English in Dortmund till end of September.
The roles’ names, ages, genders or ethnicities are of little importance.
Maria
takes us thru the day
• age: 25+
• bikes
• sings
days: 5-7
Gregor
fond of living & of Maria
• age: 25+
• bikes
• sings
days: 4-6
Shaman
connects & councels
• authentically different
• sings
days: 3
Anton
is rarely on time
• drivers license needed
• sings (need not be good)
days: 2-3
Cleo
a vlogger
• skates or bikes
• might speak a foreign language
days: 2-4
Enid
crosses Gregor’s path
• plays a mouth harp
• jogs
days: 2-3
Thilo
Maria’s ex is a yuppy and not very nice
• maybe butt-naked
days: 1-2
Leonie
manages a choir
days: ½ er 2
widower
35+ and in a difficult phase
days: ½ or 2
Ace
jams with Gregor
• plays drums, didge or so
days: ½ or 2
2 security staff
maintaining order
days: ½
ceremony
8 extras
for a sunset party
days: ½
aerobic class
12-20 extras
with 2-3 saying a line
days: ½
pre-production impressions of
“The Phoenix Connection” (wt)
about the filmmakers
Martin Wolkner
author, director, producer, co-editor
• has an M.A. in English, German and Film Studies
• subtitler and film critic (FIPRESCI)
• founder and manager of Filmfest homochrom, once 2nd-largest queer film festival in Germany
• producer of 80 videos for Litfest homochrom
• wrote several novels in German & English
• shot a poem video in Dortmund (21K views)
• sat in the 2017 Teddy-Jury of Berlinale
in co-production with Tremonia LLC
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