“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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