All Heroes Are Bastards, a new series about immigrants who acquire superpowers to fight injustice, was born out of frustration.
“We created this series because we felt so powerless. We wanted to build a world of power,” Esra Puru said. She directed and produced the Picture Me Rollin’ show with Patrick Pull.
“If we don’t tell these stories, no one will. As a minority, we can no longer rely on politics, the police, or the press. We should challenge institutions and instead act as public relations machines. So what’s left? This is the industry that gives us the opportunity to have a voice.”
However, the industry is still “adding fuel to the fire” in Germany.
“I attended a panel called ‘Up Next: Germany,’ and HBO Max introduced two series, both about criminal immigration, and one was a prequel to ‘4 Blocks,’ which is causing great damage to our communities. The Berlin police are said to have used this series as a resource to teach trainees who they see on the streets.”
“We left the room because it was really painful. We couldn’t take it anymore and this series was born because of our anger. We’re suffering because of these shows. We’re good producers and we’re successful. And it’s important that we tell them what they’re making.”
Speaking at the Berlinale Series Market panel “Rebels: A Series Fighting the Status Quo,” she added, “Wiedemann & Berg films and HBO Max portray my people as criminals. We decided to show them as they are: superheroes.”
Maze Pictures CEO Philipp Kreutzer said the makers of the environmental thriller “Phoenix” spent four years developing the show, interviewing activists, legal experts and political observers to ensure the young climate change activist was portrayed “responsibly and with nuance.”
“We’re not trying to condone radicalism, and we certainly don’t celebrate it. We were interested in the moral dilemmas, the moments when people who believe they’re doing the right thing cross the line. This inner conflict hasn’t been explored very deeply.”
Mr. Kreutzer, a lawyer, followed the defense team during the Munich International Automobile Fair, which was marked by large-scale protests.
“When I meet many activists, I find that they are educated, committed, and often deeply thoughtful people. At the same time, I feel a certain sense of powerlessness. Frustration can intensify when political and economic systems seem unresponsive. Understanding that dynamic does not mean supporting radicalization, but if we want to stop radicalization, we need to understand how it develops.”
Interesting programs can reach people who are not normally interested in political topics.
“When I was a kid, one of my favorite shows was ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ It made me laugh, but it talked about important themes like black history, identity, and injustice,” Patrick Pule said.
“While “Every Hero Is a Bastard” is superficially about action and superheroes, it also talks about real-life issues. We want to reach people who don’t deal with these topics on a daily basis.”
The superhero genre made that easy.
“There are exceptions like ‘Black Panther,’ but if you think about ‘Iron Man’ or ‘Batman,’ these heroes are billionaires. In the real world, billionaires are usually the bad guys. With ‘All Heroes Are Bastards,’ we try to take a different approach, but you still know who the villain is. You can’t get too abstract to reach people’s hearts.”
According to Pandora da Cunha Telles, author of “The Marquise,” characters who question the status quo are exactly what the world needs right now.
“It’s clear we need a rebellion,” she said, adding that many women remain “caught in petty violence” from which they cannot escape. The protagonist of “The Marchioness” is trapped in an 18th century convent.
“Marchioness”
ukbal movie
“The message to those who are trapped in her life is that she has the power to be a rebel and a leader. It’s not just politicians. Each of us can change something in our own lives. Creating female characters that aren’t black or white helps modern audiences understand that.”
It was also important to make sure women were on both sides of the camera.
“In Portugal, it’s still difficult to get female creators to run shows. One of the biggest challenges is empowering writers and creators. Our show features women enjoying cake and long sensual scenes. In the editing room, we were like, ‘Isn’t it too long?'” Would you ask the same thing if men were leading these scenes?This was one of the shows I worked on with more women, and it was a whole new ball game. ”
“All Heroes Are Bastards,” “Phoenix” and “The Marquise” were all presented at the Berlinale Series Market Select.
Rebellious characters can scare decision makers. “Phoenix” eventually became the subject of a public inquiry in France.
“It was shocking to see our series debated in Congress. In a country with such a strong tradition of political art and debate, this shows how sensitive these topics have become. But perhaps that’s not a bad thing. If a story doesn’t cause discomfort, perhaps it’s not engaging deeply enough,” Kreutzer said.
In today’s polarized climate, content creators should strive to represent all parts of society, including those who don’t feel heard and “those who vote differently than we expect.”
“Ignoring that frustration doesn’t make it go away. Fiction can create space for understanding without necessarily agreeing.”
Da Cunha Telles said national broadcasters have a huge responsibility when it comes to fostering change, and Kreutzer said Europe’s public broadcasting model was “worth defending”.
“This allows fiction to seriously address political and social issues. Commercial systems often prioritize different pressures, but our model provides space for stories that are not purely market-driven, and that space is valuable.”
Patrick Pule admitted that broadcaster ARD Deget Film motivated them to “be real”. But getting a seat at the table wasn’t easy.
“We came from YouTube and didn’t know anyone in the industry. We were lucky because someone with an immigrant background opened the door for us,” Esra Puru said. Previously, the duo created “Hype.”
“We also created our own award ceremony, Talent Over Privilege. It is very difficult for people like us to enter these rooms. ”
And yet they did. And so do others.
“There are people in the industry who recognize good stories and give people a chance,” Patrick Pule said.
“Don’t give up.”
‘Phoenix’
maze pictures
