Projects > Film & TV > Auf Augenhöhe? Erinnerungen an eine Freundschaft und ihre Folgen

Between Equals? Memories of a Friendship and its aftermath

At the age of 24, filmmaker and anthropologist Thorolf Lipp visited the legendary landdivers of Pentecost in Vanuatu for the first time. Impressed by how persistent the Kastom-Sa have defended their way of life against Western influences, he returns there again and again over the next 15 years. Over time, a close friendship is formed between Thorolf and Bebe Malegel, a young chief of the village. The idea is born to invite him and four other men for a return visit to Germany. Another five years later the journey is about to happen, the landdivers from Bunlap are expected in Bavaria. But shortly before their departure a tragedy takes its course: out of jealousy, greed for money and striving for power Bebe Malegel is murdered. The whole project is on the verge of failing. Only in the very last minute another way opens and an unexpected adventure begins.
A story about setting out, arriving and returning. And about appearances that are deceptive.

Germany 2015, 90 Minutes
English and German language versions
partly subtitled

Script, Director and Editing THOROLF LIPP
Camera THOROLF LIPP • THOMAS KULIK
Sound MARTINA KLEINERT • GITTE GESNER
Sound Design TITUS MADERLECHNER
Colour Correction CAROLIN RÖCKELEIN
Editor MARTINA KLEINERT
Music FASFOWOD STRINGBAND • THOROLF LIPP • KIMIKO ISHIZAKA