Luise has just arrived to a small town by the Mecklenburg lakes. She doesn’t know anybody and has to make an effort to adapt to her new job as kitchen staff at a boarding house for school groups. There, she will start new friendships with people that know nothing of her past. Surrounded by children and unable to escape her memories, Luise will have to face her demons one way or another.

‘Aus der Wüste’ (The Desert Left Behind) explores the possibilities of redemption for a woman who has not yet confronted the pain that hinders her progress and actions. Unable to let go, Luise – wonderfully interpreted by Christina Kraft-, knows the moment to confront her past is approaching, but feels inclined to escaping. In a castle-like building, reminiscent of a gothic tale, her personal story is truthful and realistic.

Producer Jan Buttler already participated in the 5th Edition of La Cabina with ‘Lilli’, the story of a young girl that takes care of her sick mother. In ‘Aus der Wüste’, Buttler has been able to create an artistic counterpoint: a look towards back to his previous film gives a twisted reflection in this new tale through an adulthood marked by the absence of childhood.

Jan Buttler studied Political Sciences and Latin American studies at the Free University of Berlin. In 2002 he founded his own film school: FilmArche Berlin; a project which he abandoned in 2009 to work as a professional producer. He combines this job with working as a Script Writing professor.

‘Aus der Wüste’ is part of the Official Section in the 10th Edition of the International Medium-length Film Festival La Cabina, which takes place from the 16th to the 25th of November at the Filmoteca de Valencia.

THE DESERT LEFT BEHIND | Jan Buttler · Germany · 2016 · 30 min.