Stille Wasser
2023
⸺ The Story
STILL WATERS is a documentary about the aftermath of the 2021 flood disaster in Germany’s Ahr Valley. Half a year later, we followed two residents through the winter, exploring their emotions, memories, and uncertain futures.
To avoid retraumatization, we deliberately excluded footage from the disaster night, focusing instead on the quiet resilience of the community as they faced the challenges of rebuilding. The film captures moments of hope amid destruction, like the return of a koi carp washed away by the flood.
The documentary also raises critical questions about climate priorities, reflecting on how the Nürburgring race track was built instead of flood protection after a similar disaster in 1910 – a pattern seen worldwide, from the Amazon to California.
⸺ The Music
This documentary posed a unique challenge in scoring. The music needed to complement the visuals without overwhelming them emotionally. The director’s vision called for a minimalistic approach, so I chose a solo guitar with heavy reverb to capture the solitude of the night. A happy accident during recording resulted in the strings producing a hauntingly beautiful sound within the reverb.
One distinctive element was the trumpet, recorded on set. I seamlessly integrated it into the score, making subtle adjustments to enhance its presence. The final result is a soundtrack that perfectly balances mood and narrative.
⸺ Credits
