STAIRS - the anti-violence spot for the German Association of Women’s outreach clinics and helplines makes it into the 10 German nominated films on the Cannes Shortlist

The ‘Stairs’ social spot produced by Raketenfilm for the ‘German Association of Women’s outreach clinics and helplines’ was shortlisted at this year’s Cannes Film Lions. This makes it one of only 10 German film nominees in all categories.

The spot was made without any money, the entire team, from stunt girls, to hair and make-up artists, to musicians and even post production, for example Colour Grader André Paulsen from We Fade To Grey, volunteered to support the cause free of charge. Filming took place on one day in Frankfurt. The cameras used were two Canon 5Ds and one Canon 7D.

“The idea was to simply use the standard excuse, which abused women use (“I fell down the stairs”) and to translate this into a surreal, visually exaggerated world, to encourage them to come forward and draw attention to the hidden numbers of domestic violence” explains Raketenfilm CEO Andreas Titus Gust.

The low-down: Women Against Violence is an organisation by women for women. Still today, every third woman in Germany falls victim to psychological, physical or sexual violence in her lifetime.

The charity is fighting to change this. Advise centres around the country provide help. They enable the victims to break out from the circle of shame and violence and influence political decisions. Public projects and events wish to raise awareness of violence against women and girls.