Nicolaas Schmidt was born in Leipzig, East Germany in 1979. The filmmaker, video and conceptual artist now lives in Hamburg. He studied liberal arts, time-based media and film at the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg. His work has been presented at international film festivals and exhibitions. Final Stage screened in the 2017 Perspektive Deutsches Kino at the Berlinale where it won the Special Jury Prize.
What was your starting point for Inflorescence?
The prospect of spending another summer’s day depressed and alone in bed, the understanding that today in particular people prefer to, and indeed must, spend time with cheery companions and the invitation from my friend, colleague and neighbour Ray Juster to spend the day with him in a friend’s garden.
Do you have a favorite moment in the film? Which one and why this one?
I think, the flash of lightning. That was really very impressive. However, clearly, I had turned on the camera for the wind. It’s been a long time since there was a true summer storm. There was a heavy downpour last year but that was very short and without thunder and lightning.
What do you like about the short form?
The greater openness to experimentation, ambivalences, reduction and randomness.
photo ©Dorothea Tuch
Berlinale Shorts 