Production Notes, “The Genital Warriors”

Because it was shot from 2003 to 2009, the production of the Genital Warriors spanned an era in which video became increasingly important. The movie embodies this important transition in film history.

The Genital Warriors was shot on 4K, Full HD, HD, Super-16mm color, 16mm black and white (self-developed), Super-8mm, DV and MiniDV at 24 and 25 frames per second. The differences in film footage as well as the distinct aspect ratios (1.33, 1.66, 1.77, 1.85 and 2.39) are emphasized in the movie.

The Genital Warriors was always closely connected with the North German city of Hamburg, which served as its setting in all but one scene shot at the Hannover Airport.

The movie thusly serves as both a chronic of Hamburg (for example the transition of the Reeperbahn, including Beatles allusions) and a diary of Matthew's experiences, friends and acquaintances there (see Director's Statement and Making-Of). In this city, the movie has long had cult status, not least due to the many Hamburg artists involved in its production.

This no-budget film was produced without any support of the German government in the form of subsidies, which is uncommon in Germany. One might say that Matthew transferred the US Independent Spirit to German soil.

The movie had the third most successful crowdfunding campaign for a German film to that point in history, raising more than 18,000 dollars.

After being selected by one of the world's few a-festivals in Moscow, Hamburg and German Films subsidized Matthew's presentation of the film there. Screenings in Kansk ("pronounced "Cannes" in Russian") and Berlin followed.

Under the Milky Way was present at the world premiere and selected the film for world distribution, which is planned in 103 countries and 17 languages, beginning in the Summer of 2015.