Next Productions
BROKEN DREAMS
SYNOPSIS
‘Broken Dreams’ delves into the deep crevices of the human psyche. The classy Dr. Christina Henning is the epitome of success - a rising career, a palatial house, a doting husband, a lovely baby. But the dark shadows in her mind are frightening. As one peels away the layers, the shadows only get darker, and leaves one with the question, “Who is Christina?”
This German- English bilingual film was shot in Berlin and the main characters are essayed by German actors Thenuka Kantharajah, Simson Bubbel, and Nico Birnbaum.
Current Status: Completed - Festival Circuits
THENUKA KANTHARAJAH
DR. CHRISTINA HENNING
Thenuka Kantharajah is a multi-faceted personality. She is a renowned actor, dancer, yoga instructor and counseller. In her first feature-length film, A Gun and A Ring, she plays the lead character, Aby. Her powerful and stunning performance earned her a nomination for the Golden Goblet Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival, 2013, the best actress award at the Norway International Festival, and the best actress award from the Toronto Tamil Film Academy.
The film was also an official entry at the Montreal World Film Festival. Thenuka’s other films include the French film, Ceres et le temoin muet (Ceres and the silent witness),the German/English bilingual film, Geplatzte Traume (Broken Dreams) and the trasngereded saga, Roobha.
Thenuka learnt the nuances of classical Bharatnatyam dance at the prestigious Chidambaram Academy of Fine Arts in Chennai, under the tutelage of Padmashri Chitra Viswewaran. She has performed at numerous cities in North America and Europe.
NICO BIRNBAUM
DR. CHRISTOPH SMITH
SIMSON BUBBEL
JOHN HENNING
The incredible talent of Simson Bubbel is only matched by his stunning looks. The dexterity with which he portrays diverse characters is remarkable. His has played memorable characters in numerous films including Immigration Game, Timebreakers-auf Der Suche nach dem geheimnisvollen Heidekristall, Ostzone, Terra X -Von Francis Drake zu den Arabischen Korsaren, The Secret of Berlin, We Trade U, and The Sleeping Man; and in the web series Deutsch for Anfanger. His personality has helped promote various products through commercials including Viva con Aqua and Optivo. Simson is fiercely athletic and spends his spare time swimming and playing football. Being an ardent musician, he also plays the guitar and piano.
MARIEKE OEFINGER
ROSHANA
Marieke is a very gifted artist who has proven herself in multiple fields. Over and above being an accomplished actor, she is also adept at singing, dancing, and dubbing, and has lent her voice to over 500 productions in German, French, Spanish and English. She has essayed many unforgettable roles in films including Let’s Go, Truffeljagd im Funfseen Land, BBV - Wer fruher stirbt hat her vim Leben, Stop, Sennheiser, Omega99, Allen, Geheimniss einer Nacht, Unter Uns, Die Katze, Der Abscheid, Marienhof, Streit um Drei. Her stage appearances include characters in Snacks, Spring Heeled Jack, DinnerKrimi, Was ihr wolf, Blick zuruck I’m Zorn, Die Maschimaschine, Vorsicht Trinkwasser!, Der Geizige, Annie.
He began his career in 2009 as a lecturer at the University of Bonn, and later worked as a German teacher and translator in Rome. In 2012, he completed his doctorate with summa cum laude from Bonn, at which time acting caught his attention and so subsequently he attended the Scuola Nazionale di Cinema Indipendente in Florence. Nico has acted in German films Veras Mantel, Manuela - Gegen den Strom, Warning Signs, Einsteins Verrat, Verbotene Liebe, Konfetti, Estefania und die Vogelhochzeit, Smart “Erlkönig”, Zeichen der Schande and Broken Dreams.
He began his career in 2009 as a lecturer at the University of Bonn, and later worked as a German teacher and translator in Rome. In 2012, he completed his doctorate with summa cum laude from Bonn, at which time acting caught his attention and so subsequently he attended the Scuola Nazionale di Cinema Indipendente in Florence. Nico has acted in German films Veras Mantel, Manuela - Gegen den Strom, Warning Signs, Einsteins Verrat, Verbotene Liebe, Konfetti, Estefania und die Vogelhochzeit, Smart “Erlkönig”, Zeichen der Schande and Broken Dreams.
CATHERINE HALLBAUER
PRINCETEN CHARLES
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
COMPOSER
Catherine Hallbauer is a screenwriter and producer currently based in Germany, and has worked on numerous international feature and commercial film projects. Catherine received her bachelor’s degree in Film and Video Production from Brooks Institute in Southern California. She thrives in all aspects of filmmaking and effectively fills the roles of an assistant director as well as script supervisor. Catherine has an innate capacity to quickly learn and adapt to various cultures and traditions and efficaciously translates this acquired knowledge into her written and filmed work. In her spare time, Catherine loves to express her creativity through photography and acting.
As a highly talented musician, Princeten gives a potent glimpse into the hotbed of Indian vibes in Europe. His works consist of music written, arranged and composed by himself. The colours of his beats range from urban and swing to playful and intricate ballads with an emphasis on strong ensemble dynamics. Princeten’s reputation as an original composer/arranger for well known singers continues to grow. Since 2007, He has worked with various rappers and major R&B artists from Europe, North America and India. His melodic inventiveness, harmonic richness and willingness to take chances are amazing.
DIRECTOR OR PHOTOGRAPHY
THEO SOLNIK
JACOPO VANNINI
LOCATION SOUND
Jacopo Vannini is an masterly music composer, arranger and sound designer who travels the world in pursuit of the perfect symphony. He is also a brilliant boom operator, dubbing engineer, and foley artist. His production, “Walking on the Blue”, was chosen as a theme song for “1 True Religion”, a documentary on the City of Munich, highlighting its culture and food and its passion for football leading up to the 2012 UEFA Champions League from Allianz Arena. He also composed the piece, “Maddalena”, which was commissioned by Boeri Studio, Milan for the 2009 G8 Summit and was included in the official video of the summit.
Born in Sao Paulo in 1981, Theo Solnik began to work with theatre as an actor and musician when he was 14 years old. After having studied Philosophy and Social Sciences in the University of Oslo, he shot several short films as director and cinematographer, worked as a freelancer journalist, photographer, musician and musical director in several theatre productions. His first feature-length movie “Anna Pavlova lives in Berlin” received 6 awards and was shown daily for 3 months in a solo exhibition at the museum Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin.
PRAS LINGAM
WRITER & DIRECTOR
Pras Lingam eats, sleeps and breathes movies, and has dreamt about being a director from the time he can remember. In the past, he has proved his excellence behind the camera on multiple levels, as a cinematographer, writer, and producer. The German-English bi-lingual film, Broken Dreams, which was shot entirely in Berlin, marks the directorial debut.
