You, humans, are the outside Earth, animated Earth.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Elke Duerr

Watch I am Nature - You are Human Nature here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I realized that I had tons for awesome footage of nature and humans. And that we humans really do not know our role here on this earth. We are taking everything apart and we are disconnected from the rest of life. Every being has to have a consumptive value, for example, opossums have to eat tics so that we accept them. The earth has to give us health benefits for us to (maybe) protect her a little bit here and there. If we cannot use or sell something, it is useless and does not have the right to live. When Nature was being compared to an antidepressant, I knew I had to do something... So I made this film to talk about reciprocity. Not just taking, but also giving back.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You will see that you belong and that everybody belongs in the web of life, no exceptions. That only when we close the circle and give back if we are an awake, aware and conscious member of the web of life do we all benefit.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Making this short film really drove home the point to me that we all belong, that I am part of this wonderful universe and that there is so much joy to be had from living and in-joying all the wonderful creations of splendor and wonder. By the time I finished the film I was in complete and utter awe ...

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script sort of downloaded all at once and I made very few corrections on it. It is a culmination of all my experiences filming in nature over the years and what I have learned about my own relationship with nature.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Wonderful feedback from everywhere we screened it. At the Taos Environmental Film Festival, people came up to me and had tears in their eyes. Very touching, they said. It was screened in front of school classes and I could discern that they were very touched as well and very engaged afterwards.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback has challenged and inspired me to keep going and push my own boundaries of what can be done and what is possible in film since I am telling nature's story in the first person.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

This short film is going around the world and I would also share it with we are moving stories. Please make the link to it available so people can just watch it. https://vimeo.com/281282652

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Anybody who would like to spread and amplify the film's message of belonging and interconnectedness.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like for this film to keep traveling around the world and touch people and trigger their own sort of awakening towards nature, to cause a "Yes, I remember!" type of response from them.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Where do you stand in the web of life? Where is your place personally? Are you a consumer of nature or a lover of nature an equal who practices reciprocity with nature?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you or this opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless nature.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

A series called Messages from the Animals and a film entitled I love myself.

Interview: May 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

I am Nature - You are Human Nature

You, humans, are the outside Earth, animated Earth.

Length: 8:21

Director: Elke Duerr

Producer: Elke Duerr

Writer: Elke Duerr

About the writer, director and producer:

ELKE DUERR is an award-winning filmmaker, interspecies communicator, author, visual and oral storyteller, interspecies communicator, fiber artist, photographer, workshop presenter, and the founder of the nonprofit Web of Life Foundation, W.O.L.F. Elke loves to debunk myths and preconceived notions about our animals and the natural world and revolutionize the way we see and experience nature.

Key cast: Various animals and nature

Looking for: sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors, buyers

Instagram: @elkeeduerr

Hashtags used: #nature, #humannature, #oneness

Website: www.elkeduerr.com

Other: IMDb

Funders: self-funded, crowd-funded,

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Film Festival Croatia, film festival Albuquerque, on Vimeo.