...wandering in a white cube
A short film by Boromir Bogumil & Carolina Soltmann
Somewhere in between the two stations of Warschauerstr. in Berlin, at 6:57am on November 9th, 2024. The 9th of November is known as the "Schicksalstag" (Day of Destiny) in German history because several pivotal events occurred on this date across different years. One of the most significant events was the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
'Dona de Roça' (Women of the Amazon) is a documentary about idigenous women in the brazilian Amazon who had to leave their home, their land and traditions in order to live in a city to provide education for their children. While scientists are measuring a loss in biodiversity and traditional knowledge around those cities, the indigenuous communities of the Rio Negro have created the « Traditional Agricultural System of the Rio Negro », that officialy became part of the brazilian cultural heritage, to preserve their way of living and their special relationship to their environnement.
The film 'Dona de Roça' was filmed in 2022 with the help of anthropologist Laure Emperaire and journalist Bernardo Rebello.
It was premiered in Santa Isabel do Rio Negro in September 2023 with all protagonists present and was modified according to their wishes.
Runtime/ 40min
Camera and editing/ Boromir Bogumil
Original Score/ Santiago Burelli
'Açaí Parau' is a documentary film centered on Seu Deurival, a 73-year-old Brazilian whose passionate relationship with açaí reflects the complex bonds between modern settlers and the Amazon. Through his daily life and work with the fruit, we discover an unexpected story of attachment to the forest that challenges simple narratives about environmental conservation.
Set against the backdrop of the Amazon's long history of resource exploitation—from rare woods and minerals to rubber, sugar cane, and coffee—the film explores a critical moment in time. While cattle ranching and soybean cultivation continue to drive deforestation in the world's largest rainforest, açaí cultivation presents a different dynamic. This palm fruit, harvested from native trees, has created economic opportunities that don't require forest clearing, even as questions of land use and rights remain contentious.
Through intimate portraits of communities in Pará, Brazil, the documentary captures the transformation of açaí from a regional staple to a global superfood. As we follow Seu Deurival and other settlers whose livelihoods depend on the fruit, we witness how their connection to the forest, though different from indigenous relationships, has evolved through generations of living and working in the Amazon. 'Açaí Parau' offers a nuanced exploration of how passion for a traditional fruit creates unexpected allies in forest preservation, while acknowledging the ongoing tensions and contradictions in modern Amazonian society.
Runtime/ 32min
Camera and editing/ Boromir Bogumil
Original Score/ Santiago Burelli
"KUSSKUSSKUSS" is a shortfilm about a kiss that is not given. When Antonella comes home after a long day of work, she doesn't kiss her husband Peter and the perfect harmony of the architect-couple is suddenly disrupted.
With pasta on the menu, the film explores the meaning of traditions and the behavior of a relationship while focusing on the theme of the diabolisation of women in our society.
Runtime/ 20min
Screenplay/ Boromir Bogumil & Candela Cañellas
Cast/ Barbara Ricci & Florian Hertweck
Direction/ Boromir Bogumil
Camera/ Lucas Fiederling
Original Score/ Santiago Burelli
Editing/ Nilenzo Clémentin
'ESENCIA' is a hybrid film project born from Skatecencia's creative community in Berlin. This unique film could only exist thanks to the space of freedom, exchange, and experimentation that Skatecencia provides.
Within this dynamic environment, where the boundaries between casual sessions and formal lessons dissolve, and the roles of teacher and student blur, my vision as a filmmaker was to break genre conventions. The project seamlessly weaves together documentary footage, fictional elements, and traditional skate videos into a single cohesive work.
Created in true collaboration with our community, 'ESENCIA' showcases the diverse individuals who make it special. The film incorporates two short pieces produced by participants from our filmmaking workshops. And since skateboarding tricks are our most natural form of expression, I wanted to bring everyone together in a shared skate video segment.
The question "What is Skatecencia?" can only be answered by following its constant evolution and movement. After all, this captures the true essence of skateboarding, and I hope it continues to break down barriers in the future.
Runtime/ 38min
Camera and editing/ Boromir Bogumil
Original Score/ Jean-Baptiste Dano
The Cinematographic Community of Indigenous Venezuelans was founded by Santiago Burelli in the summer of 2023. It is an organization that teaches cinematography and film-making courses to indigenous leaders who want to use cinema as a tool to preserve their culture, give voice to the problems of their communities, and create new indigenous art.
CCIV was founded in alliance with SOSORINOCO, PEOPLE IN NEED, and the FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF RORAIMA, BRASIL.
A documentary about friendship, music, village life, and above all, about life itself - its relationships, beauty, and challenges, work and leisure - highlighting the inspirations found in the lyrics of Riddim Flagada, a reggae group from southern France. Having been interested for several years in the relationships humans maintain with their territory, it's a pleasure to film the place where I grew up and the people with whom I continue to grow.
The film explores the intimate connection between place and identity through the lens of Riddim Flagada's music, which echoes the rhythms and stories of rural southern France. It weaves together daily moments of both celebration and struggle, capturing how these experiences shape both the band's musical expression and the broader community's way of life.
Runtime/ 19min
Camera and editing/ Boromir Bogumil
Original Score/ Riddim Flagada
'Skatesencia Facts' is an innovative series of filmmaking workshops created in partnership with 'Skatesencia Berlin'. Our mission is to democratize filmmaking by making it accessible to Berlin's diverse skateboarding community, empowering participants to create their own films from start to finish.
The program spans two distinct series: In 2023, alongside Julia Patey, we explored narrative filmmaking through four comprehensive workshops. In 2024, we shifted focus to documentary storytelling with Carolina Soltmann, offering another four-workshop series.
These hands-on workshops guide participants through every stage of the filmmaking process - from script development and production planning to shooting and editing. By breaking down technical barriers and fostering creativity, we aim to inspire participants to embrace filmmaking as a legitimate form of self-expression and equip them with practical tools to bring their unique stories to life.
Each workshop series culminates in participant-created films, transforming creative vision into tangible projects that reflect our community's diverse perspectives and experiences.
'If The Sun Was Gone' is a narrative short film that immerses viewers in Berlin's vibrant jazz scene. The story follows a young woman who, while caring for her ill grandfather, discovers the city's underground jazz world during her nocturnal wanderings with her saxophone.
Set against the backdrop of Berlin's fading summer, the film explores themes of self-discovery and emancipation in a metropolis where cultures intersect. Through the protagonist's eyes, we experience her growing fascination with the city's pulsing nightlife and diverse artistic community as autumn approaches.
Co-directed by Pierre-Marie Buffé and myself, the film features an original score composed and performed by J.B. Dano, alongside performances by acclaimed musicians Enrico Perez, Maria Morkrid, and Daigo Nakai. This collaborative spirit mirrors the essence of jazz itself. The film marks the screen debut of Teryce Magbagbeolu in the leading role.
Runtime/ 25min
Screenplay/ Boromir Bogumil
Cast/ Terice Magbagbeolu, Maria Morkrid & Enrico Perez
Direction/ Boromir Bogumil & Pierre-Marie Buffé
Camera/ Benjamin Raeder
Original Score/ J.B. Dano
Tom et le Monde' (Tom and the World) is a documentary that chronicles an extraordinary journey. Set to the powerful soundtrack by experimental rock band HRSTA, this raw and energetic film follows Tom, a young traveler, as he hitchhikes through the world.
Through an intimate lens, we witness Tom's immersion in rural communities across diverse landscapes, with a particular focus on local culinary traditions that become windows into each culture. The documentary evolves into a meditation on the nature of travel itself. Tom's adventure unveils a fascinating paradox: what appears extraordinary to a traveler often represents everyday life for locals. This realization raises questions about identity and belonging, as we see how differently travelers and permanent residents relate to the same territories.
'Tom et le Monde' offers an honest portrait of global communities rarely seen by outsiders, challenging conventional travel narratives by emphasizing genuine human connections.
Runtime/ 45min
Camera and edit/ Boromir Bogumil
Score/ HRSTA
