Arboretum

Arboretum marks my feature film debut, a psychological horror drama set in the shadowy aftermath of reunification in Eastern Germany. The story follows two deeply troubled young men as they plan a school shooting—set against a backdrop of political unrest and personal despair. The film weaves in supernatural elements that underscore both the fractured minds of the protagonists and the haunting atmosphere of a society grappling with its past. Stylistically, the film blurs the lines between psychological realism and horror, using genre tools to explore themes of alienation, inherited trauma, and radicalization. Arboretum premiered at the Terror Molins Festival in 2020 during the height of the pandemic and went on to screen at numerous festivals across Europe, earning multiple awards. It later saw a theatrical release, followed by distribution on physical media and Amazon Prime Germany.