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When Pigs fly

2026 - DOCUMENTARY - COLOUR - 5.1
DURATION: 80 MIN. - LANGUAGE: GERMAN
DCP

In Schweinen wachsen Herzen, um menschliches Leben zu retten – dadurch verschwimmen die Grenzen zwischen den beiden Spezies. Könnte das der Impuls sein, die Beziehung zwischen Mensch und Schwein grundlegend zu verändern?

"Would you still be the same if your heart belonged to someone else - even if that someone else was a pig? A philosophical and quietly poignant film about our relationship with our fellow creatures.
Is your heart a defining part of who you are? Does it hold memories of first kisses, shattered dreams, summer days, and a life lived? Or is it just a muscle that pumps blood around your body? All this is more than just philosophy. Science is close to being able to transplant hearts from pigs to humans, and with curiosity and empathy, ‘When Pigs Fly’ explores the relationship between ourselves and our four-legged fellow creatures.
Denise Riedmayr’s film takes place on a farm and follows two veterinarians who, in their own ways, share their daily lives with pigs. One helps breed pigs so that they can best be used to donate their hearts to humans. The other has dedicated his life to understanding the inner lives of pigs, their welfare and well-being. In a world that usually only appreciates pigs when they are in the refrigerated section, we are given a completely different perspective on an animal that is closer to us than most of us would admit." CPH:DOX 2026

DIRECTOR: Denise Riedmayr
CINEMATHORAPHER: Felix Riedelsheimer
SOUND DESIGN & MIXING: Philipp Hutter
PRODUCTION: Michael Kalb
COLABORATION: Bayerischer Rundfunk, HFF München
SUPPORTED BY: FFF BAYERN

FESTIVALS
2026 CPH:DOX (DNK)