Verena Jost

The dark secrets of a seemingly peaceful island threaten to swallow up an orphaned student when he grows close to a mysterious new teacher.

Summer 2001: young Gregor works at the small Berlin video store "VILM". When he falls in love with the shy "Betty", he has to keep a clear head handling the major catalogue change from VHS to DVD, his disillusioned co-worker Beni, quirky customers and the upcoming shoot of his next big short film ...

Together with five extraordinary political activists, "Rise Up" seeks answers to the devastating ecological, economic and authoritarian developments of our time. It is said that every social advance had to be fought for by courageous people - but how did they succeed? Can the enormous global crises of the present be overcome at all? Driven by questions, doubts and visions, the film roams through wild worlds of images, through the promises of happiness in the modern age, frozen in the face of overpowering enemies, experiences resistance, failure and new beginnings. And we're beginning to understand - thanks to the inspiring stories of five people who have been involved in overwhelming social upheaval. Together they wrestle with the authors of the film and the audience for answers. Trace that point where people start fighting. The point at which the decision is made to leave normality and safety behind in order to dare something completely new.