videoPaul Kalkbrenner 'KABELMANN' by Björn RühmannBjörn Rühmann has collaborated with Paul Kalkbrenner and Mother Berlin to create a stunning 12 minute music short film to accompany the electronic music icon's new two song EP. It's the intriguing story, in two distinct parts, of a strange character as he comes into contact with the real, mostly hostile world: the eponymous Kabelmann.Filmed in Manchester and Berlin, with outstanding 16mm cinematography by DoP Krzysztof Trojnar (known for his work on Baby Reindeer) and with a magnetic central performance by Kevin Howarth as Kabelmann, Björn Rühmann has created a highly distinctive cinematic experience with KABELMANN. With the creative originating at Mother Berlin, and produced by SMUGGLER in London and Berlin-based Zauberberg, it was premiered at this year's Ciclope Festival earlier this month.KABELMANN is surreal, darkly comic, poignant and at times harrowing, as we follow the fortunes of Kabelmann, an individual with 20 metre cables flowing from his body, as he emerges from the forest for his first encounters with normal people. The film is also grounded in a analogue aesthetic, using practical effects that contributes to the overall effect and power of this 'fish out of water' story - including a costume worn by lead actor Howarth featuring 20-meter cables. And Paul Kalkbrenner renamed the names of the two songs on the EP, originally bearing different titles, to Kabelmann 1 and Kabelmann 2. Part one of the film is the emotional story arc of an enigmatic outsider. Kabelmann searches for human connection, hindered by a mysterious energy flowing through his cables. Small flashes of the Kalkbrenner himself hint at the source behind Kabelmann's energy. The rhythm of Kalkbrenner's song pushes the story forward. Most encounters on Kabelmann's journey evoke rejection, aggression, and fear – except one with a mysterious woman in a diner, opening a hopeful path for our hero. A short interlude where the artist appears again leads into the second part of the music short film. This chapter catapults viewers into a dreamlike afterlife juxtaposed with a violent showdown, leaving Kabelmann's fate ambiguous. The second song by Kalkbrenner serves as the perfect stage for the contrast between the story layers with its optimistic spirit.Paul Kalkbrenner briefed Mother Berlin to come up with the idea for the film, and Stefan Witteman, Creative Director of Mother Berlin, says: "This project was a dream brief. The idea of this character, Kabelmann, was truly inspired by the artist's analogue ways of working. Bringing Kabelmann to life, from the story arc to all visual aspects, was a truly collaborative effort."Mother brought Björn Rühmann into the project who explains: "The process of finding our Kabelmann's destiny took forever – in a great way. We loved exploring all the ways for this character to become the perfect blend of an alter ego of the artist – and a unique, otherworldly hero that captivates the audience."
