Reindeer

Reindeer is an in-house documentary project, work Malpaux is making because we believe it matters, not because a client commissioned it.

The production draws on the same documentary capability Malpaux brought to the Cula Carbon Stories series: the ability to work in demanding locations, collaborate closely and honestly with protagonists who have justified reasons to be sceptical of people coming from the outside, and produce work that is both aesthetically serious and operationally rigorous.

It also reflects a commitment we hold more broadly: that mission-driven work is worth doing on its own terms, not only when there's a commercial case for it.

Why this film.

Having first experienced the Arctic as tourists in the end of 2022, the striking dissonance between the seemingly “perfect winter wonderland” seen through our German eyes and the very real climate and land usage issues inspired us to dig deeper. Since we, as Central Europeans, contribute to this conflict, the idea of a documentary raising awareness at home was born. Using the Christmas icon of the reindeer, we aim to build a narrative connection from this audience to the global North.

What the film is.

In the seemingly remote peace of Sápmi, reindeer and people share a profound dependence. As climate, geopolitical conflicts, and “green colonialism” are waged, their voices often feel overheard. Our film challenges how we consume as a society and shapes a positive story of a more sustainable life.

We are going to make a loving film that tells a positive story about our protagonists’ reconciling their emotional home with modern demands. We want our audience to reflect upon what is important to them and what makes them truly happy.

Along the way, we meet people who share a strong connection with reindeer in the places they call home. Starting out as unique and seemingly separate perspectives, we follow their stories from the love of the land and its traditions, to the sadness and anger of uncontrollable change, leaving the audience to wonder how they can navigate this new world, before finally bringing them together in strong hope for the future.

Status.

We are currently in development and recording footage with our protagonists until early 2027. We are still looking for distribution partners and local filmmakers to co-create individual storylines.

Throughout the process, we try to understand in depth and always challenge the justification of our role in telling these stories at all.

Team

Directors & Producers: Paul Brachmann & Vincent Rahn
Camera: Paul Brachmann & Adrian Doll
Sound: Vincent Rahn & Johann Plato
Editor: Ronja Selle

Paul and Vincent’s prior work includes Berlin Loop (2025), Eisspin, the oh so Terrible (2023, Deutscher Kamerapreis and EnergaCAMERIMAGE), and Until Death do Us Part (2020, Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner). Their Fridays for Future “Klimawahl” campaign work and their background as 1st ADs and producers on multiple fictional works form the foundation for this project.

Prior work of editor Ronja Selle includes the Grimme Award-winning Tamara and Mann auf Blau, selected for DOK Leipzig.