"Ever since the earthquake of December 2003, Bam in Southern Iran is nothing but rubble and ruin. Not only have its walls crumbled, exposing kitchens and courtyards, the hearts of its people too, appear to have fallen open. Like a ghost, the camera drifts through the town,

recording the everyday events of Bam?s inhabitants and picking up the intimate, inner conversations they have with their dear departed. In doing so, the film also touches upon the relationship between men and women in Iran and their relationship to God. Above all, ?Voices of Bam? is an ode to the indefatigable life-force embodied by the people of this town. The film is inspired by photographs that were recovered from the town?s debris...the only tangible mementoes left of life before the earthquake."

"Aliona van der Horst (1970) was born in Moscow, Russia, and grew up in the Netherlands. After she graduated Cum Laude at the University of Amsterdam in Russian Language and Literature in 1993, she started studying documentary filmmaking at the Dutch Film and Television Academy. Her graduation film ?The Lady with the White Hat? (1997) was awarded several times, nationally and internationally. Since then Aliona made various documentaries for Dutch public broadcasters: Chained (1997), The Little Red Box (1998), After the Spring of ?68 (2001), winner of a Dutch Academy Award for best documentary, Hermitaz-niks (2003), winner of a Dutch Academy Award for best Cultural Program and Relieved (2004).

Maasja Ooms (1968) studied Photography at the Dutch Academy of Arts and the Dutch Film and Television Academy. Maasja and Aliona have been working together since Aliona?s graduation film The Lady with the White Hat. She was DoP for many documentaries since. In 2003 she also started co-directing documentaries."

"?The whole knowledge of the human soul passes through a football field?

Albert Camus

?The Art of Football? by Hermann Vaske is an exciting and irreverent rollercoaster ride through the crazy and creative world of football. It kick starts the inevitable frenzy in a run up to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Offering a view of a game that attracts more viewers than the Olympics, more money than Hollywood, more media than any politician.

The legendary John Cleese (?Monty Python?, ?James Bond?, ?Harry Potter?) as host will guide the audience through the diverse football landscape. Following the introduction, the format revolves around Mr. Cleese introducing the letters of the alphabet, from A to Z, with each letter representing one particular word or catch phrase relevant to football.

In the documentary sequences both football geniuses and artists, musicians, politicians express their thoughts on the game and prove it is a part of the great global zeitgeist Hermann Vaske talked to legends like Pel?, Franz Beckenbauer and Michel Platini and today?s super stars like Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Kak?, Michael Ballack, as well as world soccer players Birgit Prinz and Mia Hamm. From the field of managers and referees Vaske interviewed Ars?ne Wenger, Giovanni Trapattoni and Pierluigi Collina.

From the field of music he talked to Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics. From the field of film he interviewed directors like Wim Wenders (?Buena Vista Social Club?) and Tony Kaye (?American History X?) as well as producer Nick Powell (?Fever Pitch?). From the field of acting Dennis Hopper (?Easy Rider?) und Keith Allen (?Trainspotting?) share their views on the beautiful game with us. And last but by no means least Nobel laureate Dr. Henry Kissinger, archbishop Desmond Tutu and painter Markus L?pertz are part of the film.

In the final sequence of ?The Art of Football? Cleese compares football with other art forms, and concludes that football fulfils the definition of art better than many so-called art forms: it has the power to move people. As Ars?ne Wenger once said, ?football is a branch of creativity, a branch of the arts.?

?The Art of Football? was shot in Brazil, the United States, Italy, Great Britain and Germany. Hermann Vaske shot on Digital Betacam, High Definition and Super8 in order to mix the different formats. The authenticity of the Super8 offers an exiting contrast to high definition.

?The Art of Football? is an official project of the artistic and cultural programme of the Federal Government for the FIFA World Cup 2006. It is a co-production of Hermann Vaske?s Emotional Network, Studio Hamburg, ARTE and ZDF. Director, author and producer is Hermann Vaske.

"

Hermann Vaske (director, author, producer)

Hermann Vaske is a director, author and producer. As a director he worked with actors such as Dennis Hopper, Harvey Keitel, Sir Peter Ustinov and John Cleese.

He is the winner of the Grimme Award (Germany's TV Oscar) and more than 100 creative awards.

After studying at the University of the Arts in Berlin and at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles Hermann worked as Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi in London and at FCB. With it?s numerous creative Awards Hermann Vaske?s Emotional Network is one of Germany?s most awarded Advertising Agencies and Production Companies. Clients include ARTE, Deutsche Bahn, Audi, ZDF, BMW, VW,

Bayern 4 Klassik and Hornbach.

Hermann's previous television films include features on David Bowie and Yohji Yamamoto, as well as the feature length documentaries "The Fine Art of Separating People From Their Money", ?The A ? Z of Separating People From Their Money? and "The Ten Commandments of Creativity" starring Dennis Hopper and Sir Peter Ustinov, for which he won the Special Award of the Jury of the International Television Festival of Venice.

His recent books include "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants ? Conversations with the Masters of Advertising" and ?Why Are You Creative?? Which has also been presented as a TV-Series on ARTE and as an exhibition in Cannes at the International Film Festival and at the Frankfurt Book Fair..

In 2003, Hermann directed the short film "Who Killed the Idea?" starring Harvey Keitel, Debi Mazar and supermodel Nadja Auermann.

This film presents the last working year of the old prison of Valparaiso (Chile), which closed in 1999. It?s a homage to the prison and to the values and customs of the men who have lived within it during its 150 year history.

"Cristobal Vicente Cruz. Chile. 20/06/1975X1994-2001: Degree in architecture, Catholic University of Valparaiso, Chile. Thesis develops the concept of an archetectural perspective of cinematography. Also involved in organising artistic events, study trips around South America and exhibitions.

1997: Studied cinematography under the established Chilean director Hector Rios.

1998: Work begins on Arcana, a documentary film concerning the last days of the old prison of Valparaiso.

1999: Undertakes audio-visual workshops with a group of inmates of the new prison.

2005: The Arcana project is completed, consisting of a documentary film, a book and a website.

2006: Initiates international distribution and exhibition of the project."

Inspired by Stanislav Lem?s short story about the cosmonaut Ijon Tichy, ?X? is a bizarre space adventure about an astronaut who loses his own individuality and must prevail against near endless copies of himself. Loss of identity and individuality is the theme of this humorous animated film.

"D Dear Miss Mistress, Dear Dear Miss Distress ? T turn me on and drag me underground?

A Song dedicated to the London Underground. A Video made of photographs and textanimations."

"Claire Walka

1997 - 1998 Art School P.ART, Stuttgart, Germany

1998 Studies at the Hochschule f?r Gestaltung Offenbach/Main Germany

since 2001 different practicals at advertising agencies, publisher, television (editorial department)

since 2003 Freelancer for Graphics and AV (Photography, Editing, Compositing?)

since 2001 Different Exhibitions of Graphic Works, Photographs and Installations

Sept. 2003 Foundationmember of ""Ex.For- Institute for Existance Research"" and the ""Zuchtfilmkollektiv"""

An umbrella, a young woman and her shoes get whirled around on a windy afternoon.

1997 - 1998 Art School P.ART, Stuttgart, Germany

1998 Studies at the Hochschule f?r Gestaltung Offenbach/Main Germany

since 2001 different practicals at advertising agencies, publisher, television (editorial department)

since 2003 Freelancer for Graphics and AV (Photography, Editing, Compositing?)

since 2001 Different Exhibitions of Graphic Works, Photographs and Installations

Sept. 2003 Foundationmember of "Ex.For- Institute for Existance Research" and the "Zuchtfilmkollektiv"

Peter, a psychotherapist, and Suzanne, a professional dominatrix, have been meeting once a week for over two years. In the privacy of a dungeon room in an S & M house, Suzanne delicately pierces, prods and ultimately soothes Peter as they engage in sensual, dominance and submission reenactments. Peter?s wife Pat knows about her husband?s other life, but there is an understanding between them; what happens in the dungeon is relegated to the world of fantasy. There are rules. Now it seems those rules are about to be broken as Peter and Suzanne, undeniably drawn to each other, agree to see each other on the outside. Though Suzanne is clearly ambivalent about any sort of physical intimacy, Peter becomes increasingly obsessed with consummating their relationship. The more Suzanne pulls away, the harder Peter finds it to let go. As they meet in coffee shops, bars and restaurants throughout New York City, Peter remembers the erotic ?scenes? between them and the relationship these fantasies have to his past. A sudden crisis in Suzanne?s life leads Peter to a meeting with Suzanne?s family where some of her own past torments are revealed. What draws Peter and Suzanne together, however, is also what pulls them apart. Even though both see the impossibility of the affair, it is Peter who suffers most when Suzanne decides to cut off contact. Whether or not this resolves the emotional and erotic issues the relationship created for both of them remains a question.

Eric Werthman has been a practicing psychotherapist for over twenty-five years. Before and during this career he has been involved in filmmaking. He worked for Walter Manley Productions for four years, is a graduate of the NYU?s ?Sight and Sound? intensive film workshop and made one short fiction film, The Scalper's Lament before making his feature film debut with Going Under.

"Young rent boy Sebastian is one of Georg's little opportunities left to break out of his solitary life and exchange it for a brief coexistence ? at least for a couple of hours. Georg loves Sebastian's easyness and playfulness. He loves the absurd stories the boy sponateously comes up with even though he never really knows if he can believe them or not.

And today a long cherished wish seems to come true for Georg. This time the boy asks him if he could stay the night ? on his own free will. Georg does everything to entirely savour the rare and valuable moments. He hopes for more. But the more Georg dares to approach the boy the more Sebastian withdraws. In just a short time the boys seems to advance in quite a few years. Georgs hopes break into pieces.

In the light of a pocket torch the last remaining night becomes a declaration of love to the times spent and to all people who've brushed life for just a short and brief moment ? it becomes a moving protest against transitoriness."

Stefan Westerwelle. Born in 1980 in Detmold. 1998 ? 2000: Graphic and web designer in various agencies. Studies film/television at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne since 2001 . 2002: Half-year animation project in London. ?Solange Du hier bist? is his graduate film from the Academy of Media Arts Cologne.

"Bollywood goes Europe ? im Ma?anzug !

Isaar, the unique Indian tailor, sets off on an adventurous trip across Europe to his once faithful customers, in hope of new orders, the reunion with old friends and in hope of love.

Marco Wilms accompanies Issar on his trip through European cities, living rooms and mentalities.

This final journey is also Issar?s last chance to fulfill a secret wish: his first role as Bollywood star ? in Europe?s first Bollywood documentary!"

"This is how I met Issar 4 years ago:

It was in Thailand during the rainy season. I had a job interview, I was running late and had to take a motorbike taxi. On the highway it was raining the proverbial cats and dogs. When I eventually reached the address of where the interview was I was soaked to the skin. Right next to the place was a tailor?s shop. Issar, the Indian tailor, offered me tea and lent me one of the suits still waiting for collection for the interview. With this ? my first ever ? tailor-made suit I got the job. I found a new friend and have loved tailormade suits ever since.

Issar was leading a double life. The name on his business card said Mike. Supposedly because that made it easier for foreign customers to remember his name. In actual fact he had named himself after a rich, snobbish gangster from the film China Town. This criminal called Mike has a much more respectable twin brother ? a typical slightly nerdy Bollywood crooner. Both parts were played by Indian superstar Shammi Kapoor ? Issar?s idol. The film was a fable about the dark and light sides of the human soul. Or about how fate can mercilessly push people in one or the other direction. And why would the hardworking little tailor Issar choose to name himself after the gangster and womaniser Mike?? In Issar?s chest, too, there are two hearts beating.

When Issar, aka Mike, first told me about his unlived film star dream, this immediately made me think of the mythological Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler. The hero leaves his normal environment and sets out for strange and distant lands to try and find a special elixir which changes his life. Issar?s journey to distant Europe ultimately also becomes a journey to himself.

As we wanted to bring Issar?s Bollywood dreams to life in the best possible way ? creating scenes like the one in the film Sangam which was shot in the permanent snow of the Swiss mountains ? financing took slightly longer. During this period Issar had to undergo serious bypass surgery and at times it looked like he might not be able to realise his dream. Nonetheless, we set out on our big adventure in the summer of 2005. At times it felt like I had adopted the role of the son looking after his father. But maybe this is only because Issar reminded me of my own father, of the impermanence of the human body and of the fact that one has to live one?s dream while there is still time.

Marco Wilms"

"Born in 1966 in former East Berlin, German Democratic Republic (GDR)

Completed apprenticeships as toolmaker, graphic designer and model

1990 Student in STAGE DESIGN at the Academy of Fine Arts, East Berlin, GDR

1991 Student in PRODUCTION DESIGN at the Film and Television Academy,

Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany

1993 Scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

at Michigan State University, USA

1998-99 Scholarship as FILM DIRECTOR from the German Academic Exchange Service

(DAAD) at Film Department, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand

ACTING WORKSHOP by John Costopulus from Actors Studio New York, USA

2000 CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR Music Clips, Shorts Production Berlin

Germany

Scholarship for Young Journalists in Bangkok, Story ?Angel on the Highway to

Death?

2001 Masterdegree as FILM DIRECTOR at the Hochschule fuer Film und Fernsehen

?Konrad Wolf? Potsdam Babelsberg, Germany

2002 Scholarship as FILM DIRECTOR from Stiftung Kulturfonds, Berlin Germany

2003 Scholarship as FILM DIRECTOR in Thailand from the German Academic

Exchange Service (DAAD); LECTURER at Filmdepartment

Thammasat University

TEACHER Documentary Workshop for DAAD in Saigon, Vietnam

2004 DISCOVERY CAMPUS MASTERSCHOOL

2005 Scholarship as FILM DIRECTOR from DEFA, Berlin, Germany"

"2000 NAAM DJAI ? THE RIVER OF THE HEART (61min)

documentary

2003 BERLIN VORTEX (82min) (German title: MITTENDRIN)

theatrical documentary for ZDF, Das Kleine Fernsehspiel

2005 TAILOR-MADE DREAMS (52 / 87min, 35mm)

(German title: MASSGESCHNEIDERTE TR?UME)

theatrical Bollywood documentary about a singing Indian made-to-order tailor who travels to Europe the first time and meet his old customers"

Leila, a young East-European immigrant in New York City, wants to become a violinist. She is in search of the American Dream.