GEZEITEN – Short Film

A restless coach fleeing from herself and a widowed man, who has long since given up, meet by chance on a ferry between island and mainland.

What begins in mutual misunderstanding turns into a quiet, intimate conversation about life, time, and the question of what remains when everything stands still.

Synopsis

Julia boards the ferry back to the mainland at the last minute. On deck sits Ludwig, early sixties, a former theatre props master and widower, gazing silently at the Wadden Sea. When the vessel unexpectedly runs aground due to the receding tide, a space in between emerges. A fleeting exchange develops into a conversation about loss, life decisions, and what remains in retrospect. Not romantic, but marked by quiet closeness, two people meet whose paths cross only for a few hours. When the ferry reaches the harbor, the encounter ends – yet it does not remain without consequence.

Director's Statement

"Gezeiten" explores what happens when external stillness triggers an inner process. I am interested in the moment when two people encounter each other without function, without role. Not a dramatic turning point, but a subtle shift. The film asks whether brief encounters can have a more lasting impact than long-established routines.
– Rolf Schapals

Trailer

Post-Production

Sometimes a moment takes its time.

We are currently putting the finishing touches on the visuals to perfectly capture the essence of the tides. The official trailer will be available here shortly.