Ins Wilde Land (Into the Wild Land) (2024) by Emil Kaschka: A Farewell in the Wild
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 17
- 4 min read
Short Summary: Art Meets the Reality of Death
An artistic young couple, Jonas and Emma, travel to the Austrian region of Tyrol so Emma can say goodbye to her dying childhood love, Luca. Their encounter with the dying man forces them to confront the stark difference between the artistic beauty of death portrayed in their work and the painful reality of it in real life, which irrevocably changes their art and their relationship.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31764369/
Link to watch: https://www.vodclub.online/film/ins-wilde-land/ (Austria)
Detailed Summary: A Trip to the Wild Land of Emotion
The film, with a runtime of 20 minutes, is a short fiction film produced by the Filmakademie Wien.
It follows a young artist couple, Jonas and Emma. Jonas is a student working on his debut novel, while Emma is a theater writer and director who has recently won an award for a play based on the letters and diaries of terminally ill people. Her play is praised for depicting "the beauty of the last moments."
In a moment of real-life sadness, they travel to Emma's home in Tyrol to visit her dying childhood friend, Luca.
Their encounter with Luca forces them to face the messy, painful reality of death, which stands in stark contrast to the beautiful, sanitized version they create in their art.
This journey becomes a moment of double farewell: Emma not only says goodbye to her past love but also confronts the challenges in her current relationship with Jonas. The experience transforms their view of their art, their lives, and ultimately their future together.
Director's Vision: The Duality of Art and Reality
Emil Kaschka, the director and writer, based the screenplay on a personal experience. His vision is to explore the duality of art and reality, showing how the last moments of life are often filled with more raw emotion than artistic beauty.
The film is a story of double goodbyes, with the characters navigating both a physical farewell to a person and a metaphorical farewell to an old way of life and a past relationship.
Kaschka uses the contrast between the "steady beauty of nature" in Tyrol and the rawness of human emotion to create a powerful and moving experience for the audience. The film’s tone shifts from "gentle and melancholic" to something more profound as the characters' journey unfolds.
Themes: Art vs. Life, Duality, and Abschiednehmen
Art vs. Life:Â The film's central theme is the tension between how we portray life and death in art versus the messy, painful reality. Emma and Jonas are forced to acknowledge the limitations of their artistic craft when confronted with genuine human suffering.
The Process of Saying Goodbye (Abschiednehmen):Â The film's title, which translates to "Into the Wild Land," is a direct reference to saying goodbye to someone who is terminally ill. The narrative explores the emotional difficulty and complexity of this process.
Relationship as a Journey:Â The couple's journey to Tyrol serves as a crucible for their own relationship. The encounter with Luca forces them to confront uncomfortable questions and challenges within their own partnership, highlighting the fragility and strength of their bond.
Key success factors: Authentic Performances and a Relatable Story
Strong Performances: The film's emotional weight is carried by the "excellent" performances of its two lead actors, Olivia Scheucher as Emma and Nick Romeo Reimann as Jonas. Their portrayal of the emotional struggle makes the film relatable.
Relatable and Poignant Story:Â The film's basis in a personal experience lends it an authenticity that resonates with audiences. Its exploration of universal themes like death, love, and art makes its short runtime impactful.
Effective Use of Setting and Music:Â The film uses the beautiful and wild landscape of Tyrol as a backdrop to contrast with the characters' internal turmoil. The use of a well-placed song also helps to set the film's initial tone and emotional trajectory.
Awards and Nominations: Short Film Festival Recognition
Ins Wilde Land has been selected for numerous short film festivals across Europe, including the Landshut Short Film Festival, Diagonale: Austrian Film Festival, and the Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis 2025. It was also awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Bundesfestival Junger Film in Germany.
Critics Reception: Poignant and Emotionally Resonant
Testkammer:Â A review from Testkammer calls the film a "touching story about saying goodbye." It praises the director for crafting a narrative that reflects his personal experience, noting the excellent performances of the lead actors and the film's ability to "create a similar differentiated range of emotions" in the audience as the characters.
Overall Summary:Â The film has been received as a touching and moving short drama. Critics have recognized it for its emotional depth and its ability to explore profound themes with a light touch and artistic flair.
Why to recommend movie: For a Concise, Emotional Journey
It’s a powerful story in a short time: At only 20 minutes, the film delivers a strong emotional punch, making it a perfect watch for those who want a deeply moving experience without a long time commitment.
You want to see a fresh directorial voice:Â Emil Kaschka has a clear and sensitive vision, making this a promising look at his future work.
It explores relatable themes: The film’s focus on the duality of art and life, as well as the universal experience of saying goodbye, makes it a deeply resonant story.
Movie Trend: The Short Film Renaissance
Ins Wilde Land is part of a growing trend in filmmaking that highlights the power of the short film as a narrative medium. As platforms like MUBI and festival spotlights provide more opportunities, short films are gaining a wider audience and are recognized for their ability to tell poignant and complete stories in a concise format.
Social Trend: The Search for Authenticity
The film taps into the modern social trend of the search for authenticity. The characters, as artists, are trying to capture the "beauty" of human experience, but they are forced to confront the less beautiful and more painful reality of it. This theme resonates with a generation that values genuine experience over carefully curated appearances.
Final Verdict: A Poignant and Artful Short Film
Ins Wilde Land is a moving and artfully crafted short film that handles a difficult subject with grace and honesty. Director Emil Kaschka's personal touch and the strong performances from his lead actors make it an impactful watch. The film’s critical and festival acclaim show it's a noteworthy entry in the world of short cinema.
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