“Wellenbrecherinnen” – a film project for everyone who’s up for something great.
Once a year just before Christmas time a handful of daring people travel to La Gomera to be a part of the world’s toughest row.
The challenge: Crossing the Atlantic in an ocean rowing boat. On their 3,000 miles long way to the Caribbean island Antigua extreme conditions are waiting for the contestants. Up to 15 meters high waves, scorching heat and unpredictable winds. On 22 December 2019 the first German team went to the starting line of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Special about that: These were not tough guys, extreme athletes or daredevils – they were four completely normal women.
Meike (32), Cätschi (32), Steffi (50) and Timna (25) are very different from each other. They’re are no top athletes and each of them has her own story. Two of them even just started rowing in 2018. Still they found each other to fulfill themselves a lifelong dream.
The four women are accompanied by the filmmakers Silvia Weihermüller (producer) and Guido Weihermüller (director). The web series “Wellenbrecherinnen” shows the meticulously preparation, obstacles, doubts and success until the start at La Gomera. The following movie (June 2020) tells the whole story, including the spectacular crossing of the ocean and the arrival at Antigua.
With the project “Wellenbrecherinnen” the filmmakers want to record what keeps the four women pushing forward and show how they handle their goal. Every stage of development will be followed by camera and will show the audience how the big dream gets real.
“Wellenbrecherinnen” is produced by the independent production company CLOSE DISTANCE PRODUCTIONS. After the documentaries „Wechselzeiten – Auf dem Weg zum ersten Triathlon“ – a surprising success in the German movie theaters – and the ‘Summers Fairy Tale’ „Ludwig/Walkenhorst – Der Weg zu Gold“ with the beach volleyball Olympic champions Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, women are in focus of a film project for the third time.
In addition to the web series and the movie there will be further forms of transposition. You can follow the creation of the project during the production process on social media. The filmmakers give an insight into their work behind the scenes and provide exciting information. “Wellenbrecherinnen” supplies a new, living and digital form of storytelling that is so unique that the team of Close Distance Productions made it their trademark.