Statement by LUX Audience Award 2024 finalist Johannes DUNCKER, writer of The Teachers' Lounge. Parliament and the European Film Academy award the LUX prize to help the distribution of European films with significant artistic merit that reflect cultural diversity in Europe and beyond.

statement

LUX European Audience Film Award 2024 (T)

DUNCKER, Johannes (DE)

LUX Audience Award 2024 - Statements by finalists: Johannes DUNCKER, writer of The Teachers' Lounge

Cutaways, outdoor, cinema Star Saint Exupery with&nbsp;Johannes DUNCKER, writer of The Teachers' Lounge, ambiance shots , Strasbourg, France, 07/02/2024, (9 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes DUNCKER, Writer of The Teachers&apos; Lounge, Our movie was very much inspired from personal experience. I went to school with the director and co-writer of the screenplay, and there was a couple of thefts going on at our school, and the children were asked to show if there had any money in their purses. So this was an experience we had, and we talked about that also because my sister, she's also a teacher, and there were a couple of thefts going on into her school, and we talked about that and immediately said, that might be an interesting topic for, for a film.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes DUNCKER, Writer of The Teachers&apos; Lounge, It's a film that's not only about school, but it's also about society and how we want to talk to each other in society. And about this question about truth and what does it mean? And does it really exist, and how do we handle it? Each each of us has their own truth. How do we agree on something? And I think it's also something that was very much fueled through the discussion in the pandemic that we talked a lot about with occurred during writing the screenplay. But I think it's still true today that we have to find a way in society to discuss topics where we are not on the same page

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes DUNCKER, Writer of The Teachers&apos; Lounge, This is a great opportunity for them to get seen all over Europe, for people to have the chance to see the film and to discuss it. It's just, for me, it's a really great chance for this small film where we saw it. Okay, maybe it has a chance in Germany, but we would never have imagined that it would be seen in other countries. And this is such a great experience to see that it's, now screening all over Europe, and people can see it and discuss it. And, yeah, have a conversation about it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes DUNCKER, Writer of The Teachers&apos; Lounge, Well, I think it's it's always interesting to see what the audience has to say, because, I mean, winning prizes awarded by a special jury is one thing, but it's always a special honor if the audience also likes the film. And I think that so many distributors have picked up the film all over the world, shows that they believe in the film, like working in cinemas. And my hope is that people are entertained by the movie, but hopefully also think about it and can talk it about it. And of course I hope we have a chance at the prize. But it's still I mean, it's a competition between firms, which is always a bit strange because these films are so different, and it's just such an honor to be in the selection with these great other films.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes DUNCKER, Writer of The Teachers&apos; Lounge, So it was interesting to see how people react to the film there and, to talk with people, what it means to them, to see the film. And also it was interesting because, they, they saw a lot of parallels to their, situation right now and their society right now. So that's that's nice to see how people can relate to the film.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes DUNCKER, Writer of The Teachers&apos; Lounge, I think a newer development and the teachers are not the authority they used to be. It was a different thing maybe 20 years ago

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes DUNCKER, Writer of The Teachers&apos; Lounge, A kind of confront people with their power, that they have as teachers, for example, over the students

Cutaways, indoor, cinema Star Saint Exupery with Johannes DUNCKER, writer of The Teachers' Lounge, ambiance shots, Strasbourg, France, 07/02/2024, (9 shots)