Monika – Soul of Fire

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Note of intent

Like Monika, I lived this period as a founding moment of my history, the persecution and the underground life as deep sufferings. I want to tell how, in this country, on the borders of South America, a woman becomes a guerrilla fighter and show the complexity of this character, its fragility, its doubts. I want to highlight this incredible fate hoping that the new generations are inspired by it; that they remain alert, annoyed, and hence act for more justice.

Synopsis

« This little girl will be the Aryan woman paradigm ». That’s what Hitler will say about Monika, 6 years old, while sitting on his lap. After the second catastrophic world war, thousands of Nazi top officials escape to South America. Hans E., Monika’s father, is one of them. He seeks safety in Bolivia. In the late 60’s Monika is 16 and discovers this country which amazes and overhelms her. She’s outraged by the social inequality and the poverty of the population. Determined to fight for this country, as if it was hers, her engagement keeps growing. In 1967, the assassination of Che Guevara leads her on the path of armed struggle. She’s 28 years old. During clandestinity, she falls in love with Inti, a Bolivian guerrilla leader. A love story that will make her one of the most wanted women in the 70’s

Visual concept

Monika will be built like a political thriller, where dramatic tension and suspense will be essential. We will be using a clair-obscur effect to suggest mystery and give density to Monika’s character. By favouring a »denuded » photography, we shall get to the point, with close-ups and shots and reverse shots. The music will mainly be composed with discreet atmospheric sounds to accompany the emotion but will also help us emphasize the silence. Heavy silence, intense and sometimes threatening .