Meet the Residents: tell me why
In every edition of our newsletter, we introduce an organisation based at the Publix building. Julia Friedrichs is an author and co-founder of the film production company tell me why. Their ZDF format “Die Wahrheit über unsere Rente“ was partly filmed at Publix. The team around Julia Friedrichs and Jochen Breyer has been working under our roof for the past year.
What is the core of your work?
We research and produce high-quality TV documentaries. Our aim is to present relevant topics in a way that ideally both informs and entertains viewers.
What’s currently occupying most of your attention?
Always the latest investigations. We usually work on three or four projects at once. What they are, though, isn’t really newsletter material.
What is the aim of your work?
We’re journalists. Our goal is always to conduct open-ended investigations and take our audience into worlds they might otherwise never get to see.
What’s been your biggest success in recent months?
Fortunately, our work has already received many awards. One piece we’re particularly proud of recently is an investigation by our reporter Steffi Unsleber. Steffi spent four years researching problems in maternity care. The result was the film Tod im Kreißsaal, which aired as part of ZDF’s Die Spur series.
What does journalism urgently need?
Time and funding for research and visual storytelling. Plus: ideas for how to reach people beyond traditional platforms – without compromising on relevance or journalistic standards.
What’s the best thing to read at the moment?
Any good novel that transports you elsewhere. Perfect picks: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray or The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. And in between: a hefty stack of newspapers.
What should people be listening to or watching right now?
At the moment – a bit late to the party, but never mind – I’m really enjoying the Netflix documentary Beckham. After that: the summer playlists from Radioeins. For instance: The 100 Best Songs with One Word Titles.
