Spaltung

DE 2025, 75 min

German, Polish

synopsis

SPALTUNG is a creative, observational documentary on the nuclear power discourse in Germany and neighboring Poland. It discusses the history and relationship to nuclear energy through various protagonists. Central are the people in Gundremmingen, Bavaria, who are directly connected to the now deactivated nuclear plant, and the small Polish town of Choczewo, slated to build the country's first nuclear power plant by 2033. In their graduation film at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, directors João Pedro Prado and Anton Yaremchuk provide a multifaceted view on the divisive energy debates, particularly nuclear power, fueled by decades of emotionally charged discussion, Germany's nuclear phase-out, the climate crisis, and Russia's war on Ukraine.

Spaltung has finished post-production in May 2024. It is a production of Michael Kalb in co-production with ZDF Das Kleine Fernsehspiel and Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. It is co-directed by Anton Yaremchuk.

directors’ statement

On April 15, 2023, Germany said farewell to nuclear power. Celebrated as a victory by many, this decision is being put into question in the face of the climate crisis and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Scientists globally argue that neither climate change mitigation nor German energy independence is achievable without nuclear power, presenting new dilemmas. The world is too complex for a binary model, suggests Benahm Taebi in 'The Ethics of Nuclear Energy'. Public and political debates, however, have been increasingly dismissive of the nuances in life. Nuclear power, once condemned by disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima, has been challenging us to reassess our views. As a Brazilian-Ukrainian directorial team, we approach SPALTUNG aiming to uncover the layered truths of this topic — truths that are not black and white, but various shades of gray.

crew

directed by João Pedro Prado, Anton Yaremchuk

executive producer: Michael Kalb

producer: Vincent Edusei

cinematography: Anton Yaremchuk

editing: Amélie Richter

production design: Alexandra Chernomaschentseva

sound design: Eva Perhácová

score: Anna Ljungberg

mixing: Jonas Schüler

sound editing: Weronika Malinowska, Andrew Mottl

sound recording: Maryla Kłosowska, Katarzyna Kolecka, Daniel Fehl, Jakob Ludwig, Thibauld Weiler, Peter Patzke

additional camera work: Marharyta Kurbanova, Jonathan Junge, Léa Morelli, Melanie Macher

commissioning editor: Jörg Schneider

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