"flaming milk": Unveiling the authentic daily life in rural youth communities
Justine Bauer, a filmmaker born in 1990 in Crailsheim, has made waves in the industry with her graduation film, Milk into the Fire. This thought-provoking piece, set to be released on August 7, 2024, clocks in at 79 minutes and has already garnered significant attention, winning the Förderpreis Neues Deutsches Kino at the Filmfest München in 2024.
Milk into the Fire is a compelling exploration of young women's lives as farmers, a subject that Bauer approached with sensitivity and authenticity. The film does not portray the countryside as only beautiful and wonderful, but delves into the realities and challenges faced by those who work the land.
Bauer's unique approach in working with amateur actresses who were farmers themselves was rooted in collaboration and respect for their real-life experiences. Rather than imposing a traditional acting methodology, she engaged these women by drawing on their authentic connection to farming and rural life. This method allowed the performances to feel genuine and grounded, as the actresses could bring their own knowledge and emotions into the roles.
The film stars Johanna Wokalek, Pauline Bullinger, Anne Nothacker, Sara Nothacker, and Lore Bauer, with Wokalek taking on the role of the mother. The actresses did not have a script and spoke their native dialect, Hohenlohisch, during the film. Wokalek also went the extra mile for her role, learning how to drive a tractor and milk cows.
Bauer's family members were involved in the production of Milk into the Fire, and the handling of animals was an experience she brought from her upbringing on an ostrich farm. The film features green crosses as a symbol, representing farm abandonment, and the title itself, "Milk into the Fire", is a powerful image that symbolizes a protest against the commoditization of milk.
The film's portrayal of male characters is unique, with few male characters and those that are there presented in a distinctive way. Milk into the Fire is a testament to Bauer's talent as a filmmaker and her commitment to telling stories that resonate with authenticity and depth.
- Justine Bauer's graduation film, Milk into the Fire, delves into aspects of lifestyle, specifically focusing on the challenging realities of young women's lives as farmers.
- The fashion-and-beauty aspect is not predominant in the film, but the actresses, who are farmers themselves, brought an authentic and grounded look to their roles.
- Food-and-drink is not directly addressed, but the film's title, "Milk into the Fire", symbolizes a protest against the commoditization of milk.
- Family-dynamics are subtly incorporated in the film, as Bauer's family members were involved in the production, and the characters' relationships reflect realistic farm life.
- Home-and-garden elements are present through the depiction of the countryside and farming lifestyle, while education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and career-development themes can be inferred from the filmmaker's unique approach in working with amateur actresses and the success of Milk into the Fire.
