"Wochenendrebellen": principal photography started!

Four years ago, I was standing at Cologne/Bonn Airport and had to pass the time. As usual, I went to the bookstore and discovered a book with a father and son sitting on the stands of a football stadium on the cover. “We Weekend Rebels” by Mirco & Jason von Juterczenka. The true story of a boy with autism who goes on a journey with his father to find a favorite football club. I bought it, started reading on the plane, and by the time we landed, I knew: it's so touching, so immediate, so finely humorous, I want to write a film out of it. I contacted the father and son, we met at Café Krone, an Augenthaler long shot from the Jahnsportpark, we talked about soccer and families and the distance of the train station from the stadium in Leverkusen, and soon it felt like we had known each other for a long time; in the end they entrusted me with their story. I optioned the rights, wrote a script on spec and came to an agreement with Leonine, who wanted to make the film with the willpower of an Oliver Kahn.

And now, in October 2021, I get to sit in the Jahnsportpark with the best creatives you could wish for on this film, first and foremost Cito, who played Jason so well at the casting that Jason said: “Him or no one.”

It's all surreal and better than Hertha in the European Cup. The movie is far from being finished, but I think it's time to say thank you. To all those in the photo, of course, but also to the whole team behind it, as well as the Medienboard, Matthias Braun and Antonia Scheurlen, but first and foremost Mirco & Jason. Thank you very much for your incredible trust. I am aware of the responsibility and will do everything I can to live up to it. The film will only be a success if you like it, and then we'll have two or three malt beers together, okay? ⚽️

by and with: Florian David Fitz, Cecilia Andresen, Aylin Tezel, Joachim Krol, Marc Rothemund, Philip Peschlow, Justyna Müsch, Quirin Berg, Stefan Gärtner, Wiedemann und Berg / Leonine / ProSieben and many more.

———

Jason & Mirco also run a very successful blog and podcast: https://linkin.bio/ig-wochenendrebell