From the Middle – Social Impact of audio visual media

FICTIONAL FORMS OF IMPACT

From the Middle of Society

The Audience is More Mature than Some Decision Makers Think

Peter Hartwig

The example of the successful German drama “Systemsprenger” (“System Crasher”, 2019), is used to show how to produce and distribute a fiction feature film that also addresses the social relevance of depicted issues – in this case in the field of childcare and therapy. The film reached more than 650,000 viewers in German cinemas and more than 5 million on free TV in Germany. But, it has also raised awareness of the issues in local and regional governments, nursing homes, schools and other institutions. The presentation also explores how television broadcasters and film sponsors can promote ‘committed filmmaking’. Ultimately, the key question is: Which attitude and consciousness should one adopt when producing films?

Peter Hartwig

Peter Hartwig was born in Babelsberg and studied there at the “Konrad Wolf” Academy for Film and Television. Since completing his studies, he has been involved in over 65 films in various areas of production – as producer, production manager and line producer.

Together with Andreas Dresen he realized among others “Nightshapes” (1999), “The Policewoman” (2000), “Grill Point” (2002), “Willenbrock” (2005), “Sommer in Berlin” (2006), “Cloud 9” (2008), “Whisky mit Wodka” (2009), “Stopped on track” (2010), “As we dreamed” (2013) and “Timm Thaler” (2015). His other important works include the feature films “alaska.de” (2001, director: Esther Gronenborn), “Was nützt die Liebe in Gedanken” (2002, director: Achim von Borries), “Der alte Affe Angst” (2003, director: Oskar Roehler), “Mein Führer” (2007, director: Dani Levy) and “Goethe! (“Goethe!”, 2009, director: Philipp Stölzl) as well as numerous award-winning television films, most recently “Der namenlose Tag” by Oscar winner Volker Schlöndorff.
With his own label kineo, Peter Hartwig produced the first TV movie by Andreas Dresen “Das andere Leben des Herrn Kreins” in 1993, in 2008 based on a script by Wolfgang Kohlhaase “Haus und Kind” (TV movie award Baden-Baden) with Andreas Kleinert, in 2011 as co-producer for Denis Dercourt`s “Zum Geburtstag” and in 2014 “Der Fall Bruckner” (Urs Egger). In 2010 and 2015 Peter Hartwig was awarded as “Fairest Producer of Germany” for the productions “Goethe!” and “Der Fall Bruckner”. For the latter he received the Grimme Prize in 2015.

Together with Andreas Dresen he developed and co-produced GUNDERMANN. The film was awarded a total of 7 German Film Awards in 2019.

Peter Hartwig has now worked and produced twice with Nora Fingscheidt. After the award-winning documentary WITHOUT THIS WORLD he also produced her feature film debut SYSTEMCRASHER. The film won the SILVER BEAR at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival 2019. Since then it has won over 28 awards at over 65 national and international festivals and was a German candidate for the OSCAR 2020.

Peter Hartwig received the BAYERISCHE FILMPRIZE 2019 as well as the GERMAN FILM PRIZE 2020 (Lola) in Gold for SYSTEMCRAHER.

Peter Hartwig teaches as a lecturer at the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy and at the DFFB.
He also works as a photographer. He graduated from the OSTKREUZ-SCHULE for Photography in Berlin and is one of the most sought-after portrait photographers.

Again and again he accompanies films photographically, most recently “GUNDERMANN”, “THE INVISIBLES”, “3 DAYS IN QUIBERON” and “BRASCH”.

In 2018 Peter Hartwig received the FILM-ART-PRICE SACHSEN-ANHALT. As part of this award for his artistic work, the city of Magdeburg dedicated an exhibition to him with numerous portraits of his photographic work.

Peter Hartwig lives and works in Babelsberg and is a member of the DEUTSCHE FILMAKADEMIE and the EUROPEAN FILM ACADEMY.