Director: Ada Bligaard Soby
Run Time: 17:30m
Web site:
WWW.SUPER16.DK
Official Film Festival Selection: : NPS New Arrivals Competition, Holland, 2009; Nominated For Screening At Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2009; Kinemastik International Short Film Festival; International Competition, Malta, 2008; Odense International Film Festival, International Competition - Odense, Denmark, 2008
After being hit by a car, a thirty-something American awaits an eye operation in a Berlin hospital. He calls the only other person he knows in Berlin, a female Icelandic ex-patriate whom he involuntarily stood up because of the accident. To his surprise, she too is confined to her apartment following recent knee surgery. In their isolation they begin to rely on one another’s voices as the only relief; and for a brief moment they connect and share an intimacy that defies the physical space between them.
Born in Denmark in 1975, Ada Bligaard Soby studied film at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and photography at Fatamorgana in Copenhagen. Currently Ada is a member of the Copenhagen-based film collective Super 16. She has received the Danish State Art Funds two-year working grant for young artists in 2000. She has worked as an assistant to photographers Terry Richardson and Francois Halard in New York City. Her documentary film “American Losers” with music by Devendra Banhart ws in competition at Nordic Panorama, Copenhagen Dox and the 2006 Cinequest Film Festival and is distributed by Firsthandfilms, Zurich.
What inspired you to make this piece?
I had a knee injury that wouldn’t heal. I went to the Berlin Film Festival on crutches and was suppose to meet actor Norman Reedus, but he was in a traffic accident. So we never met. So i made a film about it. And Norman played himself in the film.
Briefly tell us about how you made your film or video: what camera and format did you use to shoot your piece, and what system did you use to edit it? What is your working process? Did you use any special techniques to make this work?
I shot it in Berlin and Copenhagen with very talented Danish DP Lars Reinholdt on HDcam. Afterwards i edited in avid with French editor (Lars Von Trier etc) Francois Gedigier.
What is the relationship between your work as a video/filmmaker and life in the New York metropolitan area?
I moved to New York one month after my 20th birthday. I had never been there before, i had no money and i didn’t know anyone. New York is my favorite place in the world. Its where i get all of my ideas, stories, characters, dreams and inspirations. New York is full of mistakes. I love mistakes.
What films/videos and makers have inspired you or influenced your work? And why?
I’m inspired by weird long French films that makes no sense. I like the neurotic element and the emotional drama. I also like Jonas Mekas although his films are a bit too long. Albert Maysles is a genius.
If viewers are interested in obtaining copies of your work for rental or purchase, whom should they contact and at what address and phone number?
Contact: Morten Kjems Juhl,
Fine and Mellow Productions (Denmark)
mj@finemellow.dk
Beautiful film. Thanks!
Tender. Can easily relate to it and supply my own ending.
I like how they both have beautiful voices, it played a big part in it for me seeing as they’re just talking over the phone. I’m a big fan of Norman Reedes and enjoy all of his work, espically this.
Much love Norman
I have been looking for this for years, and I finally found it, and it was totally worth the wait and time spent searching for it. This really is such an emotional film, and the chracters are easy to connect with.
I was engrossed. I totally got into it and only wished it were longer to see the couple meet. Thanks soooo much THIRTEEN for getting this not widely seen Norman Reedus film. (could you work on getting Deadline now
Seriously, thanks!!!!!
Loved it! Is there any way at all that you could get your hands on Dead*Line??? I’ve been looking for all of Norman’s short films and this is the first I’ve found.
i love her voice and i love Norman Reedus, perfect movie, made me feel not alone in my solitude, thank you:)
this all happened for real and i was so happy when ada made this with me . she is so talented . thank you for putting this out . norman
I really loved this, it was very touching..plus..Norman
yay!
Very beautiful and touching film. Shows how much people affect each other’s lives even though they have never seen what each other looks like. I wish it was longer to see if they finally meet but I guess that’s part of its beauty because the watcher can make their owe ending/fate. Norman Reedus is a wonderful and amazing actor. Truly a joy to watch.
This was great, Norm. Can’t imagine the pain and recovery you had to go through.
Awesome work!!!
thx for sharing!!!
loved it!! I know exactly how she feels, since I’ve just had knee-surgery myself!
and great job norman!!!!! he’s amazing
Norman and Ada, thanks for making this. Funny how you don’t need injury to feel like this a lot of times. Sweet and close, thanks for this glimpse through a personal window.
This was so incredible that I could have easily watched 2 hours of it. I couldn’t help but walk away with a heavy sigh, but a happy heavy sigh. Meaning life is a wonderful gift.
Thanks to all who had a part in this and put it out there. What a wonderful film.
I could not look away. This was so beautiful, so personal, it felt like you were right there listening to them. My only gripe is that it should have been longer. Other than that, flawless. I got so teary throughout :,)
Wow…beautiful. I love it! Would LOVE to see more!
Wow. I love this. One of my favorites. Norman is one of my favorite actors and he’s just wonderful in this. As well as Ada. I love their voices. I really think I could sit for hours and just listen in to their conversations. Its their voices that truly make this special and make you realize how far apart they really are. A bittersweet and incredibly endearing story. Always gets me teary-eyed. And the dialogue and writing for this is just so simple. It’s beautiful. Sweet.
“Your name…Your name is pretty. You probably smell nice…”
Love this. <3
I am SO GLAD I finally found this short. I love that it is based around phone conversation as I could listen to Norman Reedus talk all day long. I will DEFINITELY watch this again soon.
It’s beautiful.
Beautifully done. Norman has a great voice. I wish it was longer. Reminded me of the classic movies & true romance that does not exist in film today. My heart wept seeing Norman in pain like that. Thank you for putting this out.
Norman Reedus is my favorite actor and he is guest staring in the Walking Dead as Daryl Dixon.
It just hit me that if he is a guest that means that he is going to die!?
How do you think he would die?
I really liked the film. I felt the confinement and quite desperation. Really good job from both actors….nothing like real life–right?
Not only do they both have mellow voices, the silences in the film say so much. I like that not every single moment is filled up with chatter-but the simple business and quietness of everyday life. Seems like folks are always in a hurry. Your movie reminds me of a poem… The pacing is perfect. Thanks for sharing your personal stories with me…
I wanted more of it! Norman Reedus has such a soothing voice, barely above a whisper. The fact this is a real story about him makes it even more intimate. Awesome
When the silences came, I got excited. I could relate to those silences and I placed so much meaning in them. Helped that the both of them really conveyed the emotions in their voices so realistically. I chuckled at the bathroom part. Norman was so sweet (pity she didn’t hear him trying to cheer her up). I just loved the little things and the overall effect of this short. Being based on an actual event made it even more enjoyable for some reason. Love all of it.
Thank you. Amazing and very very touching film. Sad and deep. It makes me weep. I had revised it many times, listened to voices … they both have beautiful voices making the conversation so emotional. Everything
is important. The words and pauses. There is so much meaning in their silences. Norman is unbelievable talented actor. The fact this is a real story about him makes it even more personal. A few phone calls so completely makes a story of relationships. Sorry just does not show a meeting
Thank you Norman and Ada.
Very good. Thanks, for sharing this with us. It is a very emotional yet touching film. Both actors did a wonderful job conveying their feelings over the phone. You don’t even have to watch the film, just listen to them speak and it draws you in. Beautiful. Again, thanks.
Emotions carry through silence,pauses & voices. True friendship can carry through wires !!! Amazing film !!!
[...] with a black and blue face and an eye patch over one eye. If you look up a short film called “Meet me in Berlin” that’s a short film someone made about that time. It’s actually all real and [...]
[...] with a black and blue face and an eye patch over one eye. If you look up a short film called “Meet me in Berlin” that’s a short film someone made about that time. It’s actually all real and really [...]
[...] with a black and blue face and an eye patch over one eye. If you look up a short film called “Meet me in Berlin” that’s a short film someone made about that time. It’s actually all real and really [...]
muy bueno!! increible!
This was an impressive film. Knowing this happened makes it beautiful. Norman Reedus is an amazing character actor, too – his manner, on the big screen and from what I’ve seen in interviews, is strong and subtle all at the same time – mysterious .. I felt like this film let ya see a little more of the man behind all that mystery, and I loved that
I’ve enjoyed his films & shorts, & now the Walking Dead. I’m look forward to seeing more of him and his work! I’d like to see his art, when (hopefully!) there’s an exhibit in the future I’m there..