“You Can’t Lose” by Jonas Forstenhäusler
Jamal overcomes his nervousness, stutters his way toward her, and finally offers a piece of gum. Things aren’t going his way—until his shopping bag tears and the next piece of gum is offered.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
“Producing a short film with actor Andrew Kwaku-Opoku - writing our own story, strengthening the connection between directing and acting - all without financial backing, but with the desire to create something personal and truly our own. We wanted full creative control, free from marketing pressure or external expectations. That was the foundation of You Can't Lose.
The first ideas took shape in late 2023. By March 2024, we had finished shooting - with an unpaid but highly motivated crew and cast - in just three shooting days. The film will be shown in a small, private screening in summer 2024.
Our goal wasn't to create something overly abstract or open-ended. We wanted to embrace simplicity. You Can't Lose is the kind of film you could show your grandmother - and while she might not catch every detail, she'd definitely get the core message.
The film follows a deliberately fragmented editing style, constantly shifting between scenes. Only towards the end do the connections slowly begin to reveal themselves.”
-Jonas Forstenhäusler
CREDITS
Director// JONAS FORSTENHÄUSLER/ @forschti
Written by JONAS FORSTENHÄUSLER & ANDREW KWAKU-OPOKU/
@forschti & @aondrew_
DoP// MAX EIGENTLER/ @maxeigentler & MICHAEL BISCHOFER/ @michaelbischofer
Ac// FELIX STEPP @felixstepp
Gaffer// DANIEL MAYRHOFER/ @danimayrhofer & MAX HEEB/ @max.heeb
Boom Operator// SIMON SEIDL/ @simon.seidl26
Bts// BENNET HENKEL/ @bennethenkel
Styling & Hm// LINDI LERAC/ @lindilerac
Edit// JONAS FORSTENHÄUSLER/ @forschti
Assistent Editor// MAX EIGENTLER/ @maxeigentler
Sound Design & Mix// PABLO MANGWETH GOIRI/ @pablomangweth
Grading// LUGO CAIRNS/ @lugo.cairns
Graphics// MICHAEL BISCHOFER/ @michaelbischofer
STARRING
Jamal// ANDREW KWAKU-OPOKU/ @aondrew_
Mia// VANESSA VELEMIR DIAZ/ @vanessavelemirdiaz
Josy// HADJA MAH YANSANE
Mikel// JOSHUA WÖLBERN/ @joshuawoelbern
Deren// HERMANN WULFF/ @hermannnocap
Tim// JONATHAN KRIENER/ @jonathankriener
Can// CENK BAYRAM BABAOGLU/ @cenkbeye
Extra// ANNIKA WEITZENDORF/ @annusch.w
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