On the trail of Robert Habeck

On the evening of the 2012 state election in Kiel, I interviewed Robert Habeck for the first time (as a video journalist for a news agency at the time). Even back then, I noticed that he was very open and approachable on the one hand and that he was very good at handling cameras and journalists on the other. Months later, I was able to accompany Habeck on camera during one of his first difficult appointments as Environment Minister as part of my dissertation. And here, too, he allowed a lot of closeness and a look behind the scenes. Two years later, after a long period of abstinence, I wanted to do documentary work again and suggested that I accompany him in his work for several months. However, my motivation was not to get particularly close to Robert Habeck as a person or to get to the bottom of journalistic and political issues. I was simply interested in the work of a professional politician in the knowledge that I was dealing with a protagonist who is extremely good at his craft - especially when it comes to the media.

There were sensitive political appointments where I wasn't allowed to film. Most of the time that was OK with me. In some situations, I would have liked to have been there. Of course, I talked to Robert about the film topic beforehand. The private person was not central for me. That was also fine with Robert. My idea was to offer viewers a new perspective with different images of everyday political life, in contrast to the always similar TV images of politics. And Robert supported this idea right from the start.

I think the everyday lives of many top politicians are very similar. Depending on their schedule, they are constantly confronted with a wide variety of topics and people. It's a huge challenge to always enter into dialogue wide awake, well prepared and honestly interested. Perhaps it can be learnt. However, it is certainly easier if politicians are able to deal with these challenges easily. For many people, this comes across as the most authentic approach.

To be honest, the filming wasn't all that bizarre - but it was almost always exciting. I always tried to film what interested me personally. On the one hand, the political appointments, but also the moods of everyday life to the right and left of them. And here I remember, for example, a night-time car journey from Hanover to Kiel or the senior citizen who excitedly asks Robert for an autograph on the sidelines of an event.

I presented the project to Robert in autumn 2014, when there was already speculation as to whether he might also play a role in national politics at some point. Filming then began in spring 2015, shortly before he announced his candidacy for the Green Party primary election. As a Director, it was clear to me that I wanted to stay involved from then until the result of the primary election (January 2017) and perhaps beyond. I filmed on around 40 days. Sometimes the whole day, sometimes just a specific date.

From time to time I keep him up to date with the film.

Earning money. As a documentary filmmaker starting out, that meant I didn't make any documentaries at first. There are probably only a few Directors in this segment who can actually make a living from this type of film. I think it took me a few years before the desire and passion for this particular type of filmmaking became great enough again.

My next film is about the topic of "loneliness". I have a soft spot for remote, lonely places. And I wonder what takes people (like me) there. What does external, geographical loneliness do to a person's psyche? Filming is expected to take place next year.

I am particularly happy about the support I received from Filmwerkstatt Kiel. The many conversations with Arne Sommer, the director of the Filmwerkstatt, and the staff there are really helpful for filmmakers like me. And there's also a lot going on in the film scene in Schleswig-Holstein at the moment. Lots of committed people who are making their voices heard.