Andreas Hartmann is a 42-year-old documentary filmmaker from Berlin, Germany. Many may recognize his work My Buddha is Punk, in which he follows the dreams of a punk musician in Myanmar. We’ve also screened his next film, A Free Man, which tells the story of a 22-year-old Japanese man who rejects a society he despises and chooses to live as a homeless wanderer. His latest work, Johatsu: Into Thin Air, is now making its way through festivals around the world.

 

His work was screened and exhibited at many international film festivals and museums, e.g. Warsaw, São Paulo, Berlinale, Cinéma du Réel Centre Pompidou Paris, Festival dei Popoli Florence, Eye Filmmuseum Amsterdam, Danish Film Institute, Musée national des arts asiatiques Guimet Paris, Tokyo Arts and Space.

 

Hartmann’s documentaries often center on the struggles of ordinary people and their determined efforts to carve out a sense of choice for themselves—even when life leaves them with very few options. He follows their paths with a calm, nonjudgmental gaze, imbued with deep understanding and empathy.

As we launch our first international documentary film festival this year, all four of his works are among the highlights we’re proud to present.