"Amrum", interview with director Fatih Akin

Fatih Akin comes back to Cannes Film Festival, presenting out of competition his last movie "Amrum". Our interview revolves around the production and themes of a film inspired by a friend's childhood experiences during World War II. The director, initially hesitant, took on the project due to personal and professional commitments. The film aims to portray the everyday struggles and human aspects of the war, contrasting with the usual spectacular depictions. It explores the complexities of love and humanity, using natural elements to emphasize human connections. "We are humans, but in the end, we are animals", he says. Than the director emphasizes the relevance of the film to contemporary Germany, highlighting the resurgence of far-right extremism and the importance of remembering historical atrocities to prevent their recurrence. Fatih Akin emphasizes the growing importance of film festivals in today's media-saturated world, where it's increasingly difficult for films to gain attention amidst the abundance of content, including series. They argue that festivals are crucial for providing films with the attention and curiosity they need from audiences.