Boy Tries Time Travel in Heartbreaking Director's Cut of Die Techniker Ad

Tore Frandsen, director at The Sweetshop, has released the long content director’s cut of his lovely spot for German health insurance company Die Techniker. Told from a young boy's perspective, the film tells the story of a scary and confusing time as he finds out his father is very unwell. We want him to be cured not just for his own sake, but that of his family. 

Tore said: “Seeing the most advanced health insurance company in Germany showing its human side in such an emotive way allowed us to make an incredibly powerful piece of film. Our characters are captured in the moment. We really care for them, believe their struggle and feel their pain.”

The commercial was shot in Vilnius, Lithuania. The DC has a longer form content to play with that gave Tore the opportunity to create this deeper level of engagement. Tore had the time to capture small moments that helped build the poignancy of a moment, creating a more emotional and moody film. 

This character-driven film is more akin to short-form cinema than traditional commercials, where VFX and concept tend to dominate. Part of the script’s strength lays in the restrained use of dialogue, and the emotional tension this creates. But it also means the team were dependent on the actors’ ability to inhabit their characters. They needed to cast talent who are ever-so-slightly larger-than-life.