6x6 Europe Talent: Ann Sophie Lindström, Luxembourg

“Ann Sophie Lindström is one of the most interesting upcoming visual storytellers today, whose projects bridge photography and moving image documentary. Her current film, ‘The Bitter with the Sweet’, takes the intimacy, obvious in all of Ann's work, to the next level.” – Uwe H. Martin, Germany, photographer and producer Bombay Flying Club, and 6x6 nominator

Ann Sophie Lindström’s work focuses on communities of people who are mostly ignored in society and who create a kind of substitute family for each other. Her personal projects have been supported through grants from Centre National de l’Audiovisuel in Luxembourg, Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte and Stiftung Kulturwerk der VG Bild-Kunst. Her work has been awarded in CPOY, POYi and the VGH-Preis.

Don’t Fence Me In

In a neighbourhood in North Philadelphia, a small group of African Americans have created a safe harbor by keeping horses. Philadelphia ́s Urban Riding culture has a long tradition. During the turn of the century, automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages. Many of the people who had worked with the horses were African American and decided to keep their animals due to their love for them. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Westerns dominated television in the US and popularized the idea of cowboys and owning horses. In the 1970s, large industries such as textiles and breweries moved from the inner-city borders to benefit from tax releases, and left behind empty warehouses. These abandoned warehouses were perfect for keeping horses because most already had a stable area. A community that passed on this way of life, from generation to generation, developed. Today, the Urban Horsemen Community has changed again, as it mixes with contemporary influences and faces eviction due to gentrification in the neighborhood.

The Bitter with the Sweet

Cowboy Ricky (62) and Gretchen (55) have been dating since 2008. Marked by injuries from the past, their relationship is an emotional roller coaster ride between dependence and love. Nevertheless, Ricky and Gretchen try to grow old together as they can not master the harsh everyday life in North Philadelphia without each other. The intimate documentary takes the viewer on an emotional ride from personal resentment to deep love, from tender moments to total rage and forces to think about one’s own relationships, triggers and emotions.

Discover work by the 6x6 Europe talents, and find out about 6x6’s nomination and selection process.