Students present documentary film project at the ‘Loneliness Theme Week’ in Hanover

Film team talks about the background and challenges of the production at a symposium

According to studies, teenagers and young adults are feeling increasingly lonely. But why is that? A student film team from the Digital Media Production (DMP) programme at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences has been looking into this question. As part of the Loneliness Week from 2 to 4 July in Hanover, they will be presenting excerpts from their documentary film ‘More than alone’ to the public for the first time and talking about the background and challenges of the production at a symposium.

Loneliness is a universal feeling that everyone has probably experienced. Factors such as the lack of deep and stable relationships or the loss of familiar social ties can intensify it. Loneliness is therefore not just an individual problem, but can also be viewed in the context of social structures and social networks. Various studies show that this painful phenomenon has increased in recent years, particularly among the so-called Generation Z. With the documentary ‘More than alone’, the film team wants to remove the taboos surrounding loneliness among young people and create a space for open discussions - emotionally, visually close and with the aim of opening up new perspectives on an old feeling. ‘With our film, we want to give Gen Z a voice and draw attention to a taboo subject,’ says student Malin Böker.

Now the students are being given a special stage for their film. Katharina Pohlen and Malin Böker will present the project as part of a symposium during the Loneliness Week in Hanover. They will show initial excerpts from the film and talk about their experiences during production. In addition, the event itself will become part of the film: students Ursina Ewald, Charlie Hippe, Piero Gaytan De la Fuente and Aike Tönjes Gerken will accompany the theme week and record it on film. "We see it as a great opportunity to be able to present our film and at the same time accompany the symposium on film. We know from our own experience how present loneliness is and want to give honest insights with our images and show how intensely young people experience this feeling. It is important to us to provide an impetus to talk openly about loneliness," explains Katharina Pohlen, who is coordinating the student project team.  Ursina Ewald, who heads the film team, adds: "The collaboration with various experts creates a deeper understanding of loneliness in our generation. The symposium also provides new insights for our documentary film." 

The organisers of the theme week also emphasise the relevance of student participation: It is a significant contribution when young people contribute their own experiences and share their views on a pressing social problem with the public in the form of a film. The event brings together scientists and civil society actors to network and shed light on the topic of loneliness in a holistic and interdisciplinary way. The theme week is sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation. Further information can be found at https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/de/veranstaltungen/themenwoche-gemeinsamkeit.