
What We Were 2019
Hannah Martin's *What We Were (2019)* is a poignant 13-minute short that explores fractured family bonds through a quiet yet emotionally charged scenario.
Director: Hannah Martin
Cast



Frequently Asked Questions
What is What We Were (2019) about?
*What We Were* follows divorced father Holger as he navigates his weekend visits with his daughters, Silvia and Lara. When a family pet dies unexpectedly, the girls confront their father with a demand for a proper funeral, forcing him to reckon with his emotional distance and the fractures in their relationship.
Who directed What We Were?
Hannah Martin directed *What We Were (2019)*, bringing a sensitive, observational lens to the short film's intimate family drama.
Who stars in What We Were?
The film features Boris Aljinovic as Holger, alongside Annekathrin Bach, Emma Floßmann, Katerina Veljanoski, and Jonathan Elias Weiske in key roles.
Is What We Were (2019) worth watching?
While it's a short film, *What We Were* packs emotional depth into its 13 minutes, making it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven dramas. Its themes of family, loss, and reconciliation resonate without relying on spectacle, offering a quietly powerful experience.
How long is What We Were?
The runtime of *What We Were (2019)* is 13 minutes.
About What We Were (2019) — A heartbreaking 13-minute look at family fractures
Hannah Martin's *What We Were (2019)* is a poignant 13-minute short that explores fractured family bonds through a quiet yet emotionally charged scenario. Divorced father Holger maintains a fragile connection with his teenage daughters Silvia and Lara, their weekend rendezvous defined by routine—until a tragic loss disrupts the fragile peace. When Lara's beloved pet rabbit meets an unexpected end, she demands a proper funeral, forcing Holger to confront his own detachment from a life he once shared. Set against the backdrop of modest terraced houses and weekend routines, the film captures the weight of unspoken grief and the small moments where relationships either fray or mend.
Shot with an intimate, observational style, *What We Were* delivers a slice-of-life drama that lingers longer than its runtime. The story's quiet tension lies in its refusal to spell out emotions, instead letting gestures—like Silvia's insistence on a funeral or Lara's sudden appearance at the door—speak volumes. With themes of parenthood, loss, and the quiet fractures in family life, this short film resonates as a microcosm of larger emotional truths.