Claudia Schmid - schmidfilm
Documentary - Sript & Direction / Street Photography
Reviews Richard Deacon - In Between
"The film's strength: Schmid observes; she does not interpret. Consequently, the viewer is spared any pretentious artistic jargon and is instead offered the opportunity—guided by the camera—to embark on a journey of discovery into the world of an artist. There is ample time to form one's own thoughts. Well worth seeing." — *Ruhrnachrichten*
"A profound portrait of an artist." — Hartmut Ernst, *Choices*
"This documentary offers precisely what is missing from most contemporary artist portraits: an artist who doesn't merely allow a superficial glimpse over his shoulder, but is also willing to speak about it. Completely devoid of vanity, Deacon opens up, speaking vividly about his work, his philosophy, his understanding of the nature of art, and his own identity as an artist. Magnificent!" — *Choices* + *taz*
*Stadtrevue* Daily Pick: "An artist film that—thankfully—keeps biographical details to a minimum and truly engages with the work itself." — *Stadtrevue*
"In her film, Claudia Schmid does not create a conventional artist portrait. She dispenses with commentary, interviews, and critical assessments. Instead, she simply shows what *is*. Her camera observes Deacon and Perry at work as they search for viable solutions, but also follows them on their travels to galleries and museums—places where the artist familiarizes himself with the specific space where the sculpture is to be installed, for that space becomes an integral part of the sculpture's design. — *Abaton Kino*
Through cinematic observation and conversation, a rich, dense portrait emerges of one of the most important and influential sculptors of our time." — *Cinema Münster*
"Richard Deacon is an extraordinary artist; a superb documentary. Highly recommended for the art enthusiasts among us." — Zenow, *Movie Pilot*
"Less of a biographical film and more of a fascinating snapshot in time—such is Claudia Schmid’s documentary, *Richard Deacon – In Between*." "..... Since Richard Deacon is an artist who, while perhaps not particularly flamboyant, is nonetheless immensely fascinating, the insights into his working methods are absolutely worth seeing." — Michael Meyns, Programmkino.de
"Claudia Schmid’s documentary about the sculptor Richard Deacon is a laudable exception. She is genuinely focused on the British artist’s work. She patiently observes the creative process, from the small-scale model to the—at times monumental—realization of his sculptures in wood, metal, or ceramics. Biographical details are woven in sparingly via his voice-over commentary, and only insofar as they are essential to understanding his art. It is a meticulously crafted documentary in every respect—one that, moreover, offers many fundamental insights into the very nature of modern sculpture." — Sven von Reden, Stadtrevue
"Art enthusiasts, in particular, should not miss this documentary." — Hamburger Morgenpost
DVD Recommendation from the "Haus des Dokumentarfilms"! Overall User Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars, 9 out of 10 points.
Film Screening for the Women of Walungo, DR Congo
One year after the film's premiere, I pulled out all the stops to show my film, *Voices of Violence*, to the people of Walungo who had participated in the filming. Through this screening, I wanted to demonstrate my respect and gratitude to the women who had placed their trust in me—women who, for the very first time, had shared their traumatic life stories on camera. I remain deeply impressed by their courage, their will to live, and their strength; indeed, I grew very fond of all of them during the filming process. Furthermore, I wanted to travel to the DR Congo once again to verify that the funds raised had truly reached these "Simama women," and to see how their lives had been transformed by the donations collected alongside the film project.
I began the technical preparations for the screening in Cologne, while simultaneously coordinating the on-site logistics in eastern Congo. With the assistance of Therese Mema Mapenzi, I was able to secure the church community hall in the small neighboring town of Walungo for the event and finalize all arrangements prior to my arrival in Bukavu. With the film stored on a hard drive—along with a large, portable screen, a powerful sound system, and a high-luminosity projector—I flew to Burundi, crossed the border into Bukavu, and then traveled on to Walungo with Therese Mema Mapenzi. The reunion was a source of immense joy, and the film screening itself was an experience I will never forget. I could barely recognize the women, so profoundly had they changed in appearance—looking well-nourished, laughing, and radiating strength and newfound self-confidence.