Chemnitz University of Technology Intercultural Film Project Shows Engagement
“Saleh und Maja”, the short film project brought to life by Chemnitz students, has been nominated for the 2019 German Engagement Award – cast your vote online
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Only half of the total number of participants can be seen in this photo, which was taken next to Chemnitz’s Lokomov café. A total of 50 young people participated in the “Saleh und Maja” film project. Photo: Image archive of the Press Office/”.matics”
The Chemnitz University of Technology short film project “Saleh und Maja” is continuing forward on its successful path: after being awarded the Bürgerpreis in 2018 by the Chemnitz Civic Foundation (Bürgerstifting für Chemnitz), the project has now been nominated for the Publikumspreis portion of the 2019 German Engagement Award. The student project can be voted for at this link until 24 October 2019.
This award recognises voluntary civic engagement in Germany. Around 600 projects have the chance to win the cash prize of 10.000 euros. The creators of the top 50 projects also have the opportunity to take part free of charge in a continuing education programme in Berlin.
Background: The “Saleh und Maja” film project
The short film “Saleh und Maja” tells the story of a Syrian refugee and a student from Chemnitz who get to know each other somewhere in the undefined space between love and friendship. As if love were not already confusing and exciting enough in the age of digital communication, the additional challenges of an intercultural relationship confront the protagonists in the film.
Originally, the idea for the short film “Saleh und Maja” was conceived in a seminar given by JP Dr. Gala Rebane, Junior Professor for Intercultural Competence at Chemnitz University of Technology. Rebane and six Intercultural Communication and European Studies students developed the theoretical basics of the film. Last year, as a part of the Chemnitz city anniversary, the charge was given to creatively work under the themes of “love” and “interculturality”, and out of this charge came the project. 50 young people were involved in the project, which was sponsored by the Chemnitz Economic Development Corporation as a part of the city anniversary. Additional support came from the Chemnitz Film Workshop and Chemnitz University of Technology. Shooting took place in one of the refugee accommodations in Chemnitz, in the Neumarkt, in the City Library and in Lokomov. The short film premiered on 2 August 2018.
(Author: Julia Henkel / Translation: Jeffrey Karnitz)
Matthias Fejes
15.10.2019
