Germany 2026
Opening July 16, 2026
Directed by: Nepomuk Pfaff
Writing credits: Nepomuk Pfaff
Principal actors: Documentary: Katherina Talbach (narrator)
April 23rd marks the international day celebration of insects and with that being said, director Nepomuk Pfaff’s documentary Insekten - Helden im Verborgenen (Insects - Hidden Heroes) highlights the importance of these creatures in our world. It’s a topic that we hardly focus on since it is an invisible world and seems irrelevant and insignificant and yet is an integral part our world. The main theme this film explores is humans versus nature—can we find a compromise where we can live with nature rather than fight and destroy it?
Insekten - Helden im Verborgenen takes us on a journey back in time, starting 480 million years ago as we piece together the evolution of the world of insects and how it plays a role in our world today. It specifically looks at the evolution of insects but what is currently happening and specifically looks at the current agricultural practices of land usage in Germany. This film is a result of the BROMMI “Biosphere reserves as model landscapes for insect projection,” a project in cooperation with WWF Germany. Beginning in 2020, BROMMI looks closely at the issue of insect protection and why there is an enormous decline of insects and bird populations in Germany. In this project five biosphere reserves were established to protect the diversity of species and habitats particularly to include species that are rare and to reclaim the historical cultural landscapes of the past.
What are the causes of these losses and how can they be salvaged? Ten visionary famers located throughout Germany —Detlef Hack, Linus Altmann, Theo Heimgärtner, Sarah Flach, Charlotte von Wedel, Danilo Helm, Klaus Schlachter, Marius Maier, and Bernhard Maier— discuss their findings and explore how they plan to change the monoculture farming of today to be more ecofriendly which is a very positive win-win situation for both the farmer and nature. The cinematography is breathtaking. Having chapters and a structure conveys small vignettes to illustrate various lives of the insect world and what can be achieved if we try to harmonize with it instead of trying to destroy it. The timeline begins with the evolution of flight and the creation of flowers progressing to the world of today. It includes where we potentially are heading if we do not change; but it also offers an alternative, the possibility of harmony between the two species. (Shelly S.)