THE MIGRANT EXPERIENCE | FROM STEREOTYPES TO AUTHENTICITY
For countless generations, immigrants have been an integral part of German society, coming from around the world to build new lives in the country. Yet, on screen, their stories are often reduced to crime-related clichés or comic relief. Is it time for television to shift toward more layered, multi-dimensional representations? This panel will explore how we can move beyond stereotypes to capture the true depth and diversity of immigrant experiences.
Speaker
The Vietnamese-German director & writer Duc Ngo Ngoc was born in Hanoi and later moved to Berlin as the son of GDR contract workers. In award-winning films such as “Apples and Oranges,” “Farewell Halong” and “Trading Happiness,” he processes his personal experiences of migration and presents his perspective on the issue. His short film “Apples and Oranges” won the Best Short Film award at the Viet Film Fest in 2018. “Farewell Halong” and “Trading Happiness” were also part of the official selection at the Viet Film Fest.
Đức Ngô Ngọc completed his bachelor’s degree in media design/media art at the Bauhaus University Weimar. As part of his master’s degree in film directing at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, he studied for a semester at the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema.
Triggered by the lack of diversity in the film business, Ngô Ngọc founded the documentary-based workshop "Dreh's Um" for Vietnamese-German youth. For his intercultural media work he was awarded with the Dieter Baacke Prize 2022. His passion for documentary film also influences his approach on fictional sets. He enjoys working with amateur actors and loves to play with hybrid formats, especially when developing scripts and rehearsing with actors. Ngô Ngọc is particularly interested in merging comedic elements with tragic tones to reach large audiences. In addition to cinema, he therefore worked on Grimme Award nominated series such as “Wir” and “Echt ” in 2021 and 2022.
Recently, he wrote and directed an episode of the six-part drama series “Made in Germany,” which tells the stories of a group of friends who grew up in Berlin in the second generation. Together, they face challenges in establishing their roles in society, chasing individual aspirations, contemplating their identities, and confronting life’s profound questions.
Yolanda Rother (she/her) is co-founder of "The Impact Company". She moderates and speaks on topics related to digital society, politics and open government, diversity and sustainability. The Berlin native is a graduate (Master of Public Policy) of the Hertie School and has lived in Brazil, France and the United States.
David’s journey began with a strong foundation in law, having studied in Heidelberg and Cologne, followed by his legal clerkship in Berlin. However, his passion for storytelling soon led him away from the legal field and into the world of television. At Tele5, he quickly made his mark, taking charge of Distribution & Business Affairs before stepping into the role of Creative Director, where his innovative ideas began to flourish.
In 2018, David took a bold step by founding his own production company, Turbokultur. It wasn’t long before his unique vision and creative approach led to the development of hit TV formats like Heroes, Deadlines, and Freitagnacht Jews, a show that garnered widespread acclaim and earned him both the prestigious Grimme Award and the German Television Award.
David’s latest triumph is the TV series Die Zweiflers, where he serves as both creator and showrunner. The series has already made waves internationally, winning three awards at Cannes, including the “High School Award,” “Best Music,” and the coveted “Best Series” prize. His ability to blend sharp storytelling with captivating visuals has positioned David as a visionary force in the industry.