“Komm ma rüber, ick hab ne Birn” (engl. “Come over, I've got a pear”) is an animated short film that uses the familiar Brandenburg charm to compare the values of “Mr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck” in Havelland, a character from a locally very known ballad by Theodor Fontane, with the current socio-political situation in Brandenburg. The film aims to question the current narrative of traditional identity in Brandenburg and to appeal to humanity, tolerance and solidarity.
A film by
Maik Reinke, Betty Zepernick & Samira Rehmert
Duration
3 minutes, 19 seconds
Genre
Animation, short
Style
2D-animation with illustration and photographic collage
Completed
June 2024
Language
German audio, German subtitles
Screened at
Brandenburgische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung
During the exhibition
“MitStimmen. AbStimmen. BeStimmen.”
Designed by
Jennifer Tix / Großstadtzoo
“Content-wise committed, technically high-quality works, which […] stand for co-determination, diversity, openness, for example when the Fontane poem of Mr von Ribbeck and his pears from Havelland is illustrated as a parable for a liberal, solidary society that is being jeopardised by right-wing populists.”
—Lars Grote, Märkische Allgemeine
The identification of many Brandenburgers with the ballad about Mr Ribbeck alone contains a romanticisation of villages, of community, of homeliness and still the ballad establishes a clear attitude — all of that based on the symbolism of a fruit. The ballad, which is over 100 years old, is embedded in a modern context in this short film. Photo collages and the modern elements they contain — such as an LED advertising display — emphasise the topicality and, in addition to the ballad, create a metaphorical bridge to the very concrete, socio-political situation in Brandenburg. The morals and values of the ballad are thus seen as a timeless and universally valid foundation for social coexistence and Brandenburgers are reminded of this foundation. In addition, the collages create an abstract framework for the exemplary location and the events taking place there, allowing for simultaneous ambiguity and unambiguity. The well-known ballad, the colour scheme and the warm narrative voices create a sense of familiarity and warmth that is not intended to condemn, but rather to inspire understanding and empathy, to encourage reflection and invite solidarity.
Idea, Concept & Dramaturgy
Maik Reinke, Betty Zepernick & Samira Rehmert
Illustration & Photographic Footage Preparation
Maik Reinke & Betty Zepernick
Animation
Samira Rehmert & Maik Reinke
Title Design / Title Animation
Betty Zepernick
Voices
Eva Eulenhund & Unnötig Episch
Based on the Ballad
“Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland” by Theodor Fontane, 1889
Created within a seminar at
Fachhochschule Potsdam
Lectured by
Prof. Klaus Dufke & Prof. Lisa Bucher
Special thanks to
Jennifer Tix & Brandenburgische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung