7 actors (m/f/d) for the student short film "Süßer die Glocken nie lügen"

"Süßer die Glocken nie lügen" is a 15-minute student graduation short film that ironically breaks up family dramas as a Christmas murder mystery and at the same time reveals human abysses. On Christmas Eve, a dysfunctional family comes together for a festive dinner, but the celebration takes a dark turn when the grandfather suddenly collapses dead. What follows is an emotionally charged chamber play full of suspicions, secrets and old conflicts. Only at the end does it become clear: the death was part of a staged murder mystery dinner.

Logline

On Christmas Eve, a family gathers for a festive dinner, but when a murder shatters the idyll, not only do emotions boil over, but also long-kept secrets. But nothing is as it seems.

Plot

1. Arrival & controversial engagement

On Christmas Eve, the family members arrive at his home for the first time since the tragic accident involving Ludwig's wife and daughter-in-law. The atmosphere is forcedly warm. Ludwig's new girlfriend Charlotte is a particular source of resentment - no one really seems to want to accept her. And when the two announce their engagement, the cordiality fails to materialize.

2. Money, secrets and initial tensions

At the festive get-together, Martin, Ludwig's son, asks his father for money for a new coaching project. Charlotte's negative response exacerbates the tension in the family. Ludwig accidentally finds out that his daughter Kathrin is pregnant by a work colleague, even though she is in a relationship with Jasmin. This knowledge weighs heavily on Kathrin.

3. Mischief and unrest

While Jasmin is laying tarot cards for the family, she draws an ominous card for Ludwig. Her reaction causes unrest. Old memories are evoked and conflicts escalate. The Christmas rituals can barely conceal the mood shift. Meanwhile, Luna keeps a close eye on the escalating family situation.

4. The breakdown

Between conversations, heated arguments and old accusations, the family scatters around the house. Suddenly, Grandpa Ludwig collapses. At first there is silence, then chaos breaks out. A natural death is suspected, but Kathrin realizes from medical evidence that Ludwig's pacemaker has been tampered with.

5. Suspicion & Silence

The murder is suspected, but no one wants to call the police. Everyone would have a motive, everyone was briefly alone with Ludwig. Guilt, fear and mistrust spread. Old wounds open up, dark stories come to light. The family loses control of the evening.

6. Coming to terms & revelation

In an emotional confrontation, it becomes clear that only Luna can be behind the murder. She found out through old newspaper articles and notes that her grandfather was behind the death of her beloved mother. Driven by hatred, revenge and the desire to save her father's financial situation, she deactivated his pacemaker with a fridge magnet.

7. Motif

Luna becomes frantic and gives free rein to her emotions. She begins to justify her actions, hateful and deeply disappointed. She blames everyone. Since the car accident, everyone's family has been destroyed. The misery had to come to an end.

8. The big twist

Suddenly the fire alarm blares - the roast in the oven is burnt. Grandma Charlotte takes it out while everyone sits quietly at the festively laid table again. Grandpa Ludwig is alive - it was all part of a murder mystery dinner. The family was too engrossed in the game. When someone asks how Luna could play so convincingly - closeup on Luna nervously playing with a magnet.

Contact: Louisa

Grandpa Ludwig - murder victim (73)

• Popular grandfather, former headmaster

• Wears a pacemaker

• Destroys everything through good-naturedness

• Still emotionally attached to his deceased wife

• Tries to maintain harmony, Harmony, but is under pressure

• Reacts emotionally to revelation of Kathrin's pregnancy

• Has financial control over family assets

• Secret: Involved in the accidental death of his wife and daughter-in-law (wrong tires)

• Collapses "seemingly" dead at the end - part of the game

• Watched, registers more than he reveals

Stepmom Charlotte - narcissist (65)

• Ludwig's new fiancée

• Puts herself above the family, wants to keep control

• Shows hostile attitude towards Jasmin, Kathrin and Martin

• Regularly antagonizes others and exposes their weaknesses

• Proud of her shoe and bag collection → superficial status symbolism

• Enjoys power over Ludwig → influences financial decisions

• Washes dishes with Miguel in the kitchen, shows disparaging attitude towards Martin

• Secret: Only interested in the inheritance, no real love for Ludwig

• Despises Luna's mother ("She should never have been in the car.")

• Reacts angrily, aggressively and controlled when suspected of murder

• Eagerly plays along with the murder mystery dinner - hysterically shouts "The roast!"

Janitor Miguel (47)

• Good relationship with Charlotte

• Has a sense of humor, comments sarcastically

• Observes the events with distance and irony

• Everyone thinks he has something going on with Elisabeth (Ludwig's late wife?)

• Prepares the meal, always seems present but uninvolved

• Reports to Ludwig's "death"

• with one of the sharpest remarks: Has seen Luna's deed, but remains silent - remains morally ambivalent

• Without a valid visa

• Is briefly suspected by Martin, but remains calm

Son Martin - The Blender (44)

• Widower, wife died in car accident (partly caused by Ludwig)

• Profession: Motivational coach - but failed

• Plays his role as son loyally, but is desperate and out for the money

• Seems overwhelmed, cracking under pressure

• Reacts in horror to engagement → sees chances of money dwindling

• Is under Charlotte's influence as she rejects him

• Secret: Has massive financial problems

• Gets emotional, cries, breaks down, is suspected in the meantime

• Luna confesses out of fear of being falsely suspected

Granddaughter Luna - The Silent Assassin (16)

• Quiet, observant, intelligent

• Reacts sensitively to family tensions

• Has emotional bond with father Martin

• Carries great burden, knows Ludwig's guilt for mother's death

• Carries out the murder quietly, almost ritualistically (magnet on chest)

• Shows emotional justification for her deed in flashback

• Secret: Kills Ludwig with a magnet on his pacemaker - out of revenge

• Reacts to tarot cards, food scene, argument - always alert

• Plays along surprisingly well at the murder mystery dinner - close-up with magnet as a twist

• Reaction: Guilt, overwhelm, righteous furor

Daughter Kathrin - The Cold One (48)

• Profession: Pathologist → recognizes murder of Ludwig based on pacemaker

• Rational, detached, puts observations above emotions

• Pregnant by a colleague → afraid of reaction

• In relationship with Jasmin → double burden

• Reacts annoyed to esotericism, argues with Jasmin

• Observes a lot, reveals specialist knowledge (short circuit instead of "doctor's letter")

• Secret: Pregnant by other man, relationship with Jasmin strained

• Has medical authority in family → becomes voice of reason

Partner Jasmin - The Eco (35)

• Lives in spiritual concepts, believes in energy, tarot, signs

• Wants harmony, but seems exhausting to others

• Lies tarot card "The Tower" → predicts disintegration

• Speaks a lot in metaphors, spiritually charged

• Secretly consumes oxycodone - becomes an issue when suspected of murder

• Reacts emotionally to Kathrin's aloofness, seeks closeness

• Secret: Oxycodone addiction, stole it from Kathrin

• Confronted by Miguel and Kathrin

• Not involved in murder, but her behavior fuels suspicion