Abschied von den Fröschen

In March 1998 director and producer Ulrich Schamoni – who was dying of leukaemia at the time – documented life in his house in Berlin’s Grunewald district. Schamoni kept on filming until just a few days before his death. The result was a moving and colourful chronicle amounting to a total of 170 hours of tape. Interspersing a selection of these images with excerpts from Schamoni’s films such as "Es" and "Chapeau Claque", Schamoni’s photographer daughter Ulrike Schamoni and editor Grete Jentzen have created a loving tribute to a generous and multifaceted man.

Directed by Ulrike Schamoni, Abschied von den Fröschen leans on a strong ensemble — Ulrich Schamoni — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2012.