Award for Goldhammer - the retired Whore

In June (21.06.24), the German Documentary Film Award was presented in five categories. The team around directors André Krummel and Pablo Ben Yakov were able to celebrate: their Filmakademie diploma film GOLDHAMMER - THE RETIRED WHORE received the 3,000 euro prize of the Haus des Dokumentarfilms - Europäisches Medienforum Stuttgart. The prestigious award was presented at an award ceremony in Stuttgart.

GOLDHAMMER is a multi-layered film that portrays the life of the dazzling and contradictory opportunist Marcel Goldammer. Without judgement or commentary, the directors shed light on his turbulent biography, which shows both the culture of luxury and its abysses.

Marcel Goldammer grew up in a small community in Rhineland-Palatinate, gained experience as an escort with his clients and later did military service in Israel. Today, he is aiming for a political career with the AfD in Berlin. His journey from German Christian to Jewish convert and gay activist in Tel Aviv and Berlin is extraordinary and moving.

Pablo Ben Yakov and André Krummel studied directing/documentary film at the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy. Their joint project LORD OF THE TOYS won the Golden Dove in the German Competition of DOK Leipzig in 2018. GOLDHAMMER - THE RETIRED WHORE is their joint graduation film. Film Academy alumni were also active in other areas such as film music, sound design and mixing. GOLDHAMMER was produced by Ümit Uludag, a graduate of the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris, among others.

Jury statement:"The great art of this film lies in its openness: it plays with the questions instead of giving clear answers. It leaves the classification, evaluation and judgement to the viewer. Nevertheless, something of the great loneliness and the search for love that affects us all shines through again and again. Goldhammer thus becomes an anti-hero who can point us to the fractures and dangers of our time."

In the Directors‘ Note, the directors explain why they find Marcel Goldammer's life so fascinating: ’Marcel Goldammer has worked his way up impressively far despite difficult starting conditions and no school-leaving qualifications. The fact that he now speaks five languages fluently and feels at home on different continents is just one part of his extraordinary story. Goldhammer's journey, from a blond, gay Christian from the Palatinate to a Zionist Jew in the Gaza war and AfD politician, symbolises the extreme contradictions of our time."

The German Documentary Film Award is considered one of the most important awards for German-language documentary films. In addition to the main prize of 20,000 euros, a further award is presented in the music category. Nominees can also win the SWR Landesschau audience award. Graduation films from universities, such as GOLDHAMMER, have the chance to win the 3,000 euro sponsorship award from the Haus des Dokumentarfilms.