Clemens von Wedemeyer's 2005 Film 'Otjezd' Explores Visa Politics Through Berlin-Moscow Dialogue

Clemens von Wedemeyer's film 'Otjezd,' released in 2005, delves into the complexities of border politics through a 12-minute continuous shot filmed in Berlin's Grunewald. This piece recreates a visa application line inspired by his own experiences at the German Consulate in Moscow and the Russian embassy in Berlin. In November 2004, during the first Moscow Biennial, he captured dialogues outside the German consulate. The film stars Russian actors in Berlin, including theater director Victor Choulman, with von Wedemeyer emphasizing mise-en-scène despite not grasping the Russian language. 'Otjezd' debuted at the 2005 Moscow Biennial, using Berlin's Pankow district to represent Moscow. His previous work, 'Rien du tout' (2006), won the German Competition at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen. He has been honored with several accolades, such as the Böttcherstrasse Art Award in 2005.