SERIES for ARTE | 4 Episodes
by Vanessa Juercke
Production
Vincent Productions
Camera
Vanessa Juercke, Line Kühl, Shahzaib Wahlah, Abbas Razavi
Producer
Michael Richter
Local Producer Pakistan
Arsalan Khalid, Faisal Shakeel
In Pakistan, tradition meets transformation, faith intersects with pop culture and poverty coexists with new opportunities. While conservative values still guide everyday life for many, the younger generation is eager to challenge norms and embrace change.
The first three episodes of 'Mein Pakistan' (My Pakistan) explore a kaleidoscope of lifestyles and perspectives: a rock star defying societal dogma, an imam revealing his private world, a lawyer battling child marriage, a comedian questioning patriarchy, a Hindu scholar, a transgender activist, a teacher, a photographer, and a mechanic — each offering a portrait of a society that constantly surprises. Episode four turns to the diaspora in England, spotlighting a DJ whose music makes Pakistanis proud of their roots, social workers empowering Muslim girls and entrepreneurs building businesses from the ground up — showing how Pakistanis are leaving their mark on the world.
WORK FOR EVERYONE
INCLUSION IN CATALONIA
Film by Vanessa Juercke and
Ralph Weihermann
for ARTE
Production
Kigali Films
Camera
Steffen Bohn
Edit
Amalie Bambarandag
In the Catalonian company La Fageda, it is not people who are there for work – but work for people. The production of yogurt and marmalade creates jobs for women and men who fall outside the normal system due to a mental disorder or intellectual disability. The employees are proud of the products, as they successfully compete with international brands in Catalonia. Beyond providing jobs, the company fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, empowering its workers in their daily lives. Inclusion through yogurt? At La Fageda, a recipe for success.
Film by Vanessa Juercke
for DEUTSCHE WELLE
Camera
Vanessa Juercke & Eva Beyer
Editorial support
Eva Beyer
Edit
Patrick Protz
Voiceover
Vanessa Juercke
Sunny is a trans person living in Pakistan. She begs in order to survive. Others get by as sex workers or dancers. As an expert for transgender issues at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Reem Sharif found a way to support her community. Trans people in Pakistan are frequently cast out by their families and live in poverty. They can find safe spaces and a support in special centers. Here, they do not have to hide and discover that they are not alone in their fight for survival and recognition in Pakistan’s conservative society.
Film by Vanessa Juercke
for DEUTSCHE WELLE
Camera
Vanessa Juercke
Edit
Oliver Kölle
Voiceover
Vanessa Juercke
Comedy in Pakistan has always been a male-dominated space. Men are allowed to crack jokes, show off, or be crude. Enter female comedians. They get cast as mothers, daughters or mothers-in-law – rather than playing individuals, women are limited to caricatures. Amtul Baweja wants to change this, which is why she has joined the Khawatoons group. “Khawatoons” is a play on the Urdu word for women, “Khawateen” and “cartoons”. All the roles are played by women, who test the boundaries of what can be said in Pakistan.
Film by Vanessa Juercke
for DEUTSCHE WELLE
Camera
Vanessa Juercke
Edit
Oliver Kölle
Voiceover
Vanessa Juercke
Only a few years ago, it was hard to imagine a Saudi woman working in the music industry, but the kingdom is changing. MDLBeast is an electronic music festival, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and the region. In attendance, are hundreds of thousands of music fans and more than one hundred DJs, including Dorar, Solskin and Kayan. For the women, it’s an exciting time, exploring a new found freedom and professional opportunities.
Film by Vanessa Juercke
for DEUTSCHE WELLE
Camera
Vanessa Juercke
Camera Afghanistan
Theresa Breuer
Edit
Oliver Kölle
Channel Deutsche Welle
"Even though I'm still breathing, I'm dead," says Hamed Valy in Kabul, three months after the Taliban took power. In 2019, he founded "Modelstan": a modeling agency with which he wanted to bring fashion and a modern image to Afghanistan. But with the takeover of the Taliban, his dream is over. Women who show off their bodies are a disgrace to the self-appointed guardians of morality and are considered prostitutes. Hamed receives death threats and decides to leave his homeland. With help from the NGO Kabul Luftbrücke he travels to Pakistan and a little later to Germany. In Berlin Hamed Valy continues to pursue his Afghan fashion dream.
EL CASO AYOTZINAPA
THE FIGHT CONTINUES
THE AYOTZINAPA CASE
Documentary Film by Vanessa Juercke
Camera
Karl Byrnison
Edit
Horacio Romo Mercado &
Vinzenz Lehnert
Sound
Peter Weinsheimer
In September 2014, 43 students disappeared. Shortly before, they had been arrested by the police in Iguala, Mexico. The parents of the missing students were told that their sons were dead, murdered by drug traffickers, and burned at a garbage dump. This was the official version of the government – but the parents did not believe it. With the help of international organizations and public pressure, they were able to prove that the Mexican government was lying to them, the Mexican people, and the world.
After all these years, the men and women have not given up the search for their sons. Every month, they demonstrate in Mexico City. They do everything they can to ensure that the Ayotzinapa case is not forgotten. 98% of crimes in Mexico remain unsolved. The number 43 and the place name Ayotzinapa symbolize the fight against a giant called Mexican corruption.