In Principle Family at Friedrichsforum: Documentary Film about Closeness and Responsibility
Date and Time
Location
About this Event
Mood
Venue Type
In Principle Family: An Intense Look at the Invisible Work of Child and Youth Services
When the lights go out in Friedrichsforum, the view opens up on a daily life that usually remains hidden: The documentary film series "Realities" showcases Daniel Abma's award-winning documentary In Principle Family. The Bayreuth screening on December 21, 2026, focuses on care, responsibility, and the people who provide support to children in a residential group.
A Residential Group Between Everyday Life and State of Emergency
For over a year, the film follows the daily life of an intensive educational residential group. Five boys aged between seven and fourteen live in a house by the lake, cared for by three educators on shift work. Cooking, washing, shopping, and driving services are just as much part of the daily routine as conversations, comfort, movie nights, and bedtime stories.
The camera stays close to the people and observes with great restraint. Particularly in the unspectacular moments, the dramatic power of the documentary unfolds: A set table, a path to school, a conversation about the future and family of origin turn into precise scenes about attachment and trust.
Observational Direction with Social Awareness
Director Daniel Abma develops his staging from proximity to daily life, without artificially dramatizing it. The visual design by Johannes Praus, the editing by Jana Dugnus, and the music by Henning Fuchs form a sensitive audiovisual portrait. The set design and acting are not central here; the function is taken over by the documentary observation with its own atmosphere of rooms, voices, pauses, and glances.
The film reveals how much emotional work is involved in child and youth services. Between youth welfare office, school, bureaucracy, and personal crises, a fragile temporary home is created. The camera maintains the dignity of the portrayed children and professionals and opens up space for a societal discussion about care, responsibility, and family.
Multiple Award-Winning Documentary Art
In Principle Family has been shown at numerous festivals and received, among other awards, the German Documentary Film Prize, the Perception Change Award at Visions du Réel, the ver.di Prize for Solidarity, Humanity, and Fairness, as well as the Golden Spatz in the Non-Fiction category. These awards highlight the cinematic quality and societal relevance of the production.
The runtime is approximately 91 minutes. The film is released without age restrictions and is suitable for an audience interested in documentary films, social issues, child and youth services, as well as contemporary film and cultural work.
A Stage Experience in the Cinema Space
Even though no actors perform, the screening possesses its own theatrical atmosphere: The shared gaze at the screen, the concentrated acoustics of the small hall, and the changing lighting moods of the film transform the documentary into a collective stage experience. The audience's reaction arises from silent observations, touching encounters, and the realization of how much closeness professional care can carry.
Conclusion: The Bayreuth screening of In Principle Family promises a moving and professionally precise documentary film evening. Those who want to understand the often invisible work of child and youth services and experience great documentary film art live will find a compelling reason to look and think further.
Official Channels of Daniel Abma and the Production:
- Instagram: no official profile found
- Facebook: no official profile found
- YouTube: no official profile found
- Website: no official profile found
