“You’ve reached the emergency hotline of the Berlin Fire Department – where is the location of the emergency exactly?” The dispatchers have only their ears to rely on and must take everything down as quickly as possible. The Berlin Fire Department’s dispatch service processes what has happened and decides what help to send. The employees always react calmly, staying on the line for as long as the situation demands.

In an age where societal divides are deepening, social and family bonds appear more fragile and trust in institutions is waning, HUNDERTZWÖLF shines a light on a quiet, often invisible form of solidarity: people who are there for others when their world is falling apart. Grippingly staged, like a crime thriller, this documentary offers a rare glimpse into the work of a fire brigade’s emergency call centre, with the calls mirroring our society. Direct cinema at its best!

August Pflugfelder was born in Prien am Chiemsee/Germany. He first studied photography at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and then documentary film at the University of Television and Film in Munich. His documentary films have been screened at numerous festivals.

Filmography: 2007 SCHAFSKÄLTE (short film), 2012 SCHNEE, 2026 HUNDERTZWÖLF