Film
The Movie
Because of a stroke of fate, since some years the painter Philipp Marton (Thomas Busse) lives withdrawn on an old estate. One day while Philipp is painting outside, a young woman appears and breaks down nearby totally drunk. He takes care of the unconscious one and let her sleep off her hang-over.
Meeting each other in the morning two totally different worlds collide. Lisa (Julia Domenica) ekes out a living with occasional jobs always has financial problems, is frustrated, disenchanted, especially when it comes to men, she drinks way to much and does not see a real meaning in life.
On the contrary, Philipp is a matured, profound person, steadyfest and authentic, who has thought about life a lot and found answers for him which keep him grounded. Yet also he is tortured, deep in his heart, by a seemingly irremediable wound.
The tensed connection between Lisa and Philipp, their antipathy and fascination for each other, are bringing topics to the surface that stir up the protagonists on the inside. Above all the question of the meaning of life is in the foreground! As is well-known opposites are magnatic and so they come closer. But then the story takes a dramatic turn and their blossoming affection are strongly put to the test.
A German movie with exciting, romantic, funny, erotic, profound and spiritual moments which touch the heart, inspire to reflect and evoke courage. But above all it tells about the magic of love and its healing power!
Trailer coming soon
"Lisa and the Painter"
currently is in post-production.
Expected release
in 2018
Trailer
The Director
Director
Since more than 25 years Thomas Busse works as director and scriptwriter. Already in his early years he became known in the film business. At only 26 he gave his debut as a director for the feature film “Der Wunderapostel” that has reached iconic state by now. Even film star Klaus Maria Brandauer was deeply touched after a screening of Busse’s debut feature in Vienna. In the cinema category of “TV Movie” the movie was categorized as “absolutely worth watching”. Later the film was screened in TV successfully in many countries and reached an audience of millions.
1994 Thomas Busse started with the preparations of his new film project which occupied him for 9 years. The threepart, highly complex realized documentary with film parts called “Das Phänomen Gröning” (100 minutes per part) reflected in dramatic manner the conflicts between general medicine and spiritual healing. Scenes with almost 2500 extras were re-enacted, interviews with 100 contemporary witnesses were done by him, he searched a lot of archives and studied uncountable files. Sensible and convincing he put stone by stone together to a complete picture that positioned the man Gröning in a new light. The movie was screened worldwide, got translated into thirty languages and got overwhelming attention despite the special topic.
Following he took the staging of Patrick Süskinds Monodrama „Der Kontrabass“, shot the silent movie „Quelle der ewigen Jugend“, got involved in youth theatre as well, lead an improvisation group and teaches acting.
It doesn’t matter in which form Thomas Busse becomes active as director he always follows his demand to shoot films or stage pieces that have depth. Especially when it comes to the medium of film he says: “I do not want to concentrate on entertaining people only but to motivate them to contemplate, to inspire people and to touch them deep in their hearts. Relating to this, I am very interested in films with a spiritual background.”
He penned the story of “Lisa and the Painter”. He also wrote the script for his new movie.
Cast
&
Crew
Cast & Crew
Lisa Brendheim is played by
Julia Domenica
Julia Domenica attended On-Camera-workshops of the Munich Filmschool as well as several masterclasses and workshops in Cologne, Berlin, Rome, London and L.A. working with teachers like Bernard Hiller, Jeff Erbach, Frank Betzelt.
Her first role came in 1999 as „The Rose“ in a theatre adaption of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s „The Little Prince“. One of her favourite experiences in theatre was playing „Nina“ in Tschechow’s „The Seagull“. In 2006 she started working in TV and film. Since then she appeared in television series‘ such as „Der letzte Bulle“, „Kommissar Stolberg“, „SOKO Köln“, „Pastewka“. In 2007, she made her film debut as a fan of the main character Finn in Wim Wender’s „Palermo Shooting“. Followed by small appearances in André Erkau’s „Selbstgespräche“ and Christoph Hochhäusler’s „Unter Dir Die Stadt“.
In 2012, she entered the international market playing the supporting role of „Jennell T. Steiner“ in the English TV production „The Dossier“, including an upper middle class akcent and action scenes.
Julia Domenica also gives several seminars about Flowing Breath Qi Gong, meditation, dance, relaxation and womanhood. She gives sound treatments and is on tour as sound musician. Furthermore she is an author of poetry and has a diploma in Chemistry. Julia Domenica meditates on a daily basis and is an activist for animals and personal transformation.
Philipp Marton is played by
Thomas Busse
Born in 1963 in Mönchengladbach he early showed his great artistic talent. Since then he uses his great potential of creativity as a musician, writer, audio drama speaker, painter, actor, director and scriptwriter. 1989 he got discovered as actor and slipped somehow “accidently” into this metier. Already 1991 he played his first big leading role as “Wunderapostel” in the filmadaption of the same titled novel. Even big film star Klaus Maria Brandauer was deeply impressed after a screening in Vienna.
Besides the commercialised mainstream Thomas Busse prefers projects with depth. He demands for himself only to be part of those which touch him personally and he can stand behind them. This is one of the reasons why he prefers to realize his own ideas. If he plays in a TV production about the drug problems like “Am Abgrund und darüber hinaus“, acts in the silent film “Quelle der ewigen Jugend”, realizes theatre by the mystic drama of Hans Sterneder „Die große Verwandlung“, does cabaret (e.g. „Gravitationsgeflüster“) and comedy („Erotik oder Esoterik“), he always looks out for the special. Offers in TV series or commercials he refused so that he became difficult to place for his deceased manager and close friend Oswald Kneip (Inhaber der Künstleragentur „Actors“ in Berlin). Relating to this he says: “The role that I am playing is not crucial for me but if a project convinces me. I am one of the lucky ones based on my various activities that I do not have to live on that. For this independence I am very grateful!”
In addition, Thomas Busse holds several seminars for personality development and is, since many years, active for streetkids in Brasilia, SOS-Kinderdörfer, UNICEF and other organisations. To help people is his main heart project. He meditates daily, does a lot of sport and goes out in nature regularly, especially at the ocean, to relax and find calmness and clarity.
Marc Tiller is played by
Erwin Geisler
Erwin Geisler was born in Hirschberg / Schlesien (nowadays Poland). After his training at the „Schauspielschule v. Zerboni“ in Munich he had his first engagement at the „Württembergischen Landesbühne“ in Esslingen followed by the theatres in Pforzheim and Hof. After that he was engaged for 13 years at the Stadttheater Luzern. He played e.g. Clavigo, Don Carlos, Faust and Thomas Becket but also musical roles like the Nestor in „Irma la Duce“ and Frank Butler in „Annie get your gun“.
Back in Germany he repeatedly acted in pieces of the „Kleines Theater“ in Bad Godesberg, the „Grenzlandtheater“ in Aachen, at the „Komödien“ in Düsseldorf and Frankfurt and almost every year at the „Sommertheater Winterthur“.
Since 1960 Erwin Geisler is also active in film and TV. Lately, he did a day player in the ARD series „Rote Rosen“.
Franziska is played by
Antonia Bergmann
Antonia Bergman was born in Bonn. When she was 12 years old she was a member of an independent dance group (1988 – 1996) where she could experience her first contact with the stage (Petrouschka, L’Oiseau de Feu, MusicalGalas, and much more). During her dance education (Studio für Ballett und Tanz 1983 – 1997) and work on stage as a dancer she still went to high school and made her final degree in 1996.
Following Antonia Bergman got immediately booked for her first role at the ‚Euro Theater Central Bonn‘ in „Wer bin Ich“ after the novel ‚Sofies Welt‘ from Jostein Gaarder playing Sofie. Being 20 she started her acting education at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg and finished the education 2001 with a diploma. During her studies she got a scholar ship for a seminar at the acting school Eric Morris in Los Angeles and also attended a school exchange with ‚The Second City‘ in Chicago where she did her first experiences in Stand-Up improvisation.
On stage she played roles like Juliette (Romeo and Juliette), Gretchen (Faust), Queen Elisabeth (Don Carlos) and a lot more. Antonia Bergman had engagements at the Ernst Deutsch Theatre Hamburg, Stadttheater Kiel, Contra Kreis Theater Bonn and more. Since 2000 Antonia had played in a lot diverse film and TV productions (Tatort, Bloch, Danni Lowinski, Pastewka, Independent Movies, productions of WDR, SAT1, Teamworx, Endemol, Phoenixfilm, KHM, IFS, and much more).
Further Actors
| Rudolf Winkels | Volker Lippmann | |
| Kevin Steinfeld | Sven Bünemann | |
| Nurse | Claudia Weber | |
| Philipp’s Sister |
Claudia Dalchow | |
| Lisa’s Grandmother |
Ursula Müller-Bohres | |
| Owner of the Café |
Eberhard Jansen | |
| Headteacher | Andrea Heibach-Kohl | |
| Pupil Daniel |
Loic Lopes | |
| Priest | Frank Formen |
|
| Landlady | Astrid Voss | |
| Landlord | Martin Brack | |
| Natascha | Nina Aziz | |
| Doctor | Roland Wohlecker | |
| Mister Weinrot | Harald Skroch |
The Film Crew
| Script & Director | Thomas Busse | |
| Camera | Felix Peschko | |
| Sound | Wilfried Vendey | |
| Sound Assistant |
Jan Mielke | |
| Setting & Costume | Thomas Busse | |
| Makeup Artist |
Julika Leiendecker | |
| Soundtrack | Thomas Busse | |
| Editing | Thomas Busse | |
| Editing Assistant | Julia Domenica | |
| Casting | Thomas Busse | |
| Set-Runner | Marion & Verena Venedey | |
| Production Management | Thomas Busse | |
| Producer | Thomas Busse | |
| Main Sponsor |
Harald Skroch |
Gallery
A
special
Project
Project
Someone had an idea for a movie but he lacked the money, had very few support, mostly they smiled at him. And, because he wanted to stay totally free in his descisions and creativity, he aimed for a completely independent funding, without terms, without conditions. A long journey started…
Thomas Busse is known for persistently working towards realizing his visions but in this case it almost seemed impossible. He wrote the script after his idea for „Lisa and the Painter“, started to elate the first actors for his vision who would work for few or no money, searched for a small but professional crew and scouted the first locations.
Although he did not know if his project would ever come to life he never gave up, despite many setbacks, and invested much time and power without earning anything. If location scouting, casting, setting, costume, music, director, floor and production management, producer – all in one person.
His greatest hapiness, his lead actress Julia Domenica and he are together since, share many artistic activities, amongst other things she supported him as assistant during editing and colour grading. Thomas Busse: „Without her I would not have managed this project! She is like an angel to me!“
The project was financed solely by main sponsor Harald Skroch (Bauplanung Harald Skroch) and private supporters. However it stayed a challenge to realize a professional, two-hours film with a budget of roundabout 65.000 €. Exceptional for the German film business!
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
Short extracts of the original soundtrack of „Lisa and the Painter“.
Interviews
MyRegioTV-Interview "Lisa und der Maler"
Interviews
Alpenparlament interviews Julia Domenica & Thomas Busse
MyRegioTV at the team premiere
When did you get the idea for “Lisa and the Painter”?“
This story was on my mind for a long time. But the exact time I can’t tell anymore.
Why does it excite you to shoot this feature film despite your various fields of action?
I love to tell stories and through a film you can transport the story in a very special manner. The combination of frame, language and music gives the wonderful chance to touch people deep in their heart.
„Lisa and the Painter“ is your first love story. Untypical for you, isn’t it?
Of course, first hand “Lisa and the Painter” is a love story but at the same time very different from other love stories. It’s a story characterized by profound topics and gives time for dialogue. Mainly the question for the purpose of life runs like a common thread through the movie. And it tells of the magic of love and its healing power!
For sure, a lot submitted for the role of Lisa. What was the crucial point to decide for Julia Domenica?
Magic! There are a lot of good actors out there but the interplay of two actors is crucial to me. It just has to fit; it has to resonate. I simply do not know a better word but magic!
You did not have a lot of money for this production. That was different when you did your former productions. Doesn’t this limit you to realize that?
Most important, to be independent! I never ever want to experience again that a producer cut out the most important scene of a film. To stay free in my decisions and my creativity I totally rely on sponsoring and private donors. Additional, I have the luck that all the actors work for this project for small money or even nonpaid as well as the film crew. For most of them this is a matter that is near to their hearts, like for me! Of course, I can say that it’s a special challenge to work absolutely professional in such a limited financial frame but I want to make a virtue out of necessity. The Irish independent movie “Once” from John Carney in 2006 proofed that you can create a wonderful piece with only little money. This or similar productions are my example!
Is there a certain film style which you go for?
I concentrate more on the magic of French films than on American ones. The big examples for me are films like “Amélie”, “The Chorus” or also the Swedish feature “As it is in heaven”. Of course, these are high expectations but you have to have goals in your life.
Will you, as a musician, be participating in the making of the soundtrack for the movie as well?
Yes. I already wrote the main themes. Some of my songs will also to be heard in the movie.
„Lisa and the Painter“ seems to be very personally to you. Is this a wrong impression?
For sure there are some parallels to my life but in the end it’s a fictional story. But I admit willingly that a lot of topics that appear in the film through the encounter of Lisa and Philipp also has been a thing to think about for me and still do. In this sense, indeed it is a very personal movie.
When will the movie be finished?
We do not have time pressure but we plan for 2017.
In Cinemas
In Cinemas
Currently „Lisa and the Painter“ is in post-production. Dates will be released earliest in 2018.
You are welcome to visit the website of Thomas Busse (thomasbusse.de) for further information and to opt into the newsletter: http://www.thomasbusse.de/newsletter/
Credits
THOMAS BUSSE PRESENTS LISA UND DER MALER
SCRIPT & DIRECTOR THOMAS BUSSE CAMERA FELIX PESCHKO MUSIC THOMAS BUSSE
SOUND WILFRIED VENEDEY EDITING THOMAS BUSSE
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT & PRODUCER THOMAS BUSSE
WITH THE SUPPORT OF MAIN SPONSOR HARALD SKROCH
AND MANY FURTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORTER
© 2017 THOMAS BUSSE
Sponsors
Main Sponsor & private Supporters
Thomas Busse and the film team of „Lisa and the Painter“ thank a lot from their hearts all supporters for their trust and financial means who made it possible to bring this project to life!
