Investigating the life of Benedikta zur Nieden

She has always been drawn to cameras. Ana Escobar wants to study animation in Germany and has consistently found ways to develop audiovisual products in an academic context. That's why she was recommended to create a video essay about Benedikta zur Nieden, a benefactor of Deutsche Schule Medellín. She fell in love with her story and she ended up making a documentary. She shared her experience with us.

DSM: Where does your interest in audiovisual production come from?

Ana: “I've always been fascinated by film, particularly animation. I started editing videos when I was very young; first with toys and later with school assignments that required video creation. This has always been a passion for me”.

DSM: How has the school influenced that interest?

Ana: “The school has had a significant impact on my interest in audiovisual production. It has not only provided assignments and projects that involve video creation but has also shown appreciation and recognition for students' effort and creativity”.

DSM: Let's talk about your documentary. How did the proposal come about, and how did it evolve?

Ana: “At the beginning of the school year, my teacher informed me that the school wanted to pay tribute to Benedikta zur Nieden and suggested that I create a video about it. At that time, the idea of a documentary was not mentioned. I started researching Benedikta's life, reading her biography, and exploring sources available in the library. As I delved into her story, I realized that an 8 to 10-minute video essay wouldn't be enough to address the breadth of her impact on local and regional culture. My research led me to interview her biographer and her great-niece. The conversation with experts and the collection of audiovisual material turned the project into a documentary”.

DSM: How was your research process?

Ana: “The research phase was extensive. During the mid-year vacation, I put a lot of time into reading books and documents about Benedikta, in addition to watching all available online videos related to her. I found that there was no complete and high-quality audiovisual material about her life, which motivated me to delve into her biography. Benedikta's biographer provided me with access to an extensive digital archive with photos and documents. As I researched, selecting images and events for the documentary became a challenge. I had to choose from over 2,000 available images and decide which ones to include in the documentary”.

DSM: How was the process of writing and creating the story of your documentary?

Ana: “Initially, I had the idea of dividing the documentary into three parts: Benedikta's story as a German, her role as a philanthropist, and her personal life. However, over time, I decided to focus on a chronological narrative of her life. I started the story with her journey to Colombia, a crucial point in her life, and then went back to explore her childhood. From there, I continued with the story of her life in Colombia, her tragic losses, her philanthropic work, and her impact on the community”.

DSM: Besides learning about Benedikta's story, what other insights did you gain from this process?

Ana: “I acquired time management skills. Before, I used to procrastinate, but with the workload of the IB, I learned the importance of proper planning and continuous dedication to completing projects over time. The experience of editing a complete documentary was also enriching and allowed me to develop my personal skills”.

DSM: From what you've learned at the School, what helped you face this challenge?

Ana: “The School and its focus on the International Baccalaureate provided me with the necessary tools to take on this challenging project. The discipline I gained over the years allowed me to manage my time effectively and maintain a constant focus on a long-term project. Additionally, the School promotes autonomy and critical thinking, skills that were crucial to the success of my documentary. The education I received prepared me to address complex projects like this”.