Electronic music icon Paul Kalkbrenner has announced the release of “KABELMANN,” a two-part short film project accompanying his new two-track Kabelmann EP. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Björn Rühmann and produced by Mother Berlin and SMUGGLER, the films premiered earlier this week at the Ciclope Festival in Berlin and were released today in tandem with the EP.
A Tale of Connection in Two Parts
The Kabelmann project is divided into two short film chapters, each set to tracks from Kalkbrenner’s new release. The story follows an enigmatic character known as Kabelmann (literally, “cableman”), an otherworldly figure perpetually tethered to endless cables—a nod to Kalkbrenner’s analog production methods and live-only performance style.
In the first chapter, Kabelmann embarks on a search for human connection, only to be held back by the mysterious energy flowing through his cables. As flashes of Kalkbrenner himself appear throughout the film, viewers are teased with the idea that he might be the source of Kabelmann’s power. The emotional story arc is pushed forward by the driving rhythms of Kalkbrenner’s track.
The second chapter takes a surreal turn, transporting the audience to a dreamlike afterlife that culminates in a climactic showdown. Accompanied by the melodic optimism of “Kabelmann 2,” the film leaves Kabelmann’s fate open to interpretation, creating a powerful and lingering ambiguity.
Shot on Kodak 16mm Film
Directed by Björn Rühmann, the project was filmed on location in Manchester and Berlin, using an analog aesthetic with footage captured on Kodak 16mm film. This choice reinforces the analog roots of both the film’s visual style and Kalkbrenner’s musical approach. The film marks the second collaboration between Kalkbrenner and Mother Berlin, following the short film for his track “Schwer” released last year.
Rühmann explained, “The process of finding our Kabelmann’s destiny took forever – in a great way. We loved exploring all the ways for this character to become the perfect blend of an alter ego for Paul and a unique, otherworldly hero that captivates the audience. To create the most cinematic vision, we worked with fantastic people like Kevin Howarth (actor, Kabelmann) and Krzysztof Trojnar (DP), known for his work on Baby Reindeer.”
Kalkbrenner, who makes a cameo as a mysterious energy source throughout the films, shared his thoughts on the project: “I’ve always loved exploring how my music can work in visual mediums, whether that’s in live settings or cinematic projects like this. The concept of Kabelmann made total sense to me, as my analog approach to music and performance often makes me feel like a bit of an outlier in contemporary electronic music.”
With the release of the Kabelmann EP and its cinematic counterpart, Paul Kalkbrenner continues to push the boundaries of electronic music by blending visual storytelling with his unique sound.
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