Robert Ettinger

I became intrigued by the story of Robert Ettinger, founder of the Cryonics Institute, years ago when I first read about his practice of freezing people into a state of suspended animation with the hope of revival in the future - an ambition that earned Ettinger the title “the father of cryonics”. After meeting Ettinger and being impressed by his intelligence, candour, and strangely practical approach to life and death, I hoped to develop an idea for a long form documentary about people who wanted to extend their lives.

Counterfeit drugs and dubious pharmaceutical representatives, plus a dead body in Steinacher Ried: doctors and pharmacists in Bad Waldsee are in turmoil. A woman from Constance, whose husband is on his way to Bad Waldsee in a sports plane and is in danger of crashing, uncovers a bitter secret. Inspector August Häberle and his team encounter some very strange people in tranquil Bad Waldsee.

You, Forever is a short hybrid film that incorporates documentary and dark comedy fantasy fiction. Robert Ettinger, 'the father of cryonics,' speaks of his life’s work while his 'patients' experience an unnatural existence in suspended animation. The film is at once a piece of living (or un-living) history, and a surrealist comedy of waiting for the unknown. It explores some of humanity’s fascinating responses to fear, loss and grief while offering a potential for hope. In this way, the tale of an intelligent, eccentric and lonely old man becomes a story relatable to everyone.

Conceived as an electronic road movie, this documentary investigates cutting edge technologies and their influence on our culture as we approach the 21st century. It takes off from the idea that mankind's effort to tap the power of Nature has been so successful that a new world is suddenly emerging,an artificial reality. Virtual Reality, digital and biotechnology, plastic surgery and mood-altering drugs promise seemingly unlimited powers to our bodies, and our selves. This film presents the implications of having access to such power as we all scramble to inhabit our latest science fictions.

The Merv Griffin Show