The royal house of Marceau is caught in a wearying state of war and stands on the brink of collapse. Torn between power, control, and inner emptiness, the young heir to the throne Alexander Vincent searches for a way out, not only to survive but also to escape his tyrannical father. Supported by the maid Agnes, he plans his escape and hopes to take his mother Eleonore Elisabeth with him to free her from his father’s influence. Yet he soon realizes that she too is bound to the family’s destructive structures.
The short film “Marceau – Facade of a Family” tells of the desire to break free from inherited patterns and the painful realization that true change must come from within. Set in a fictional historical microcosm of power, fear and guilt, the film paints a symbolic portrait of familial dependence and inner emancipation.
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Director Biography – Pascal Bruckner
Pascal Bruckner is an Austrian filmmaker from the Waldviertel region of Lower Austria. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Media Technology from the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Digital Media Production with a focus on Film & TV.
Throughout his studies, he has gained extensive hands-on experience in film and video production, cinematography, broadcasting and media technology through various projects and professional placements in Austria and Germany.
After several smaller creative works, his short film “Marceau | Facade of a Family” marks his first major production. Developed as part of his bachelor’s graduation project, the film reflects his passion for exploring identity, self-determination, and the dynamics within families, a theme that continues to influence his creative perspective.
Director Statement
At its core, the story of “Marceau: Facade of a Family” centers on the realization that no one can be saved by another — change must come from within. It weaves together historical drama with universal themes such as identity, self-determination, and the burden of familial legacy.
With this film, I aim to portray the inner struggle of a protagonist striving to break free from the constraints of his family. It explores the difficult decision to sever destructive familial ties in order to attain personal freedom. The short film also delves into the tension between the deep human desire for approval and the necessity of self-liberation.
Alexander Vincent, the protagonist, embodies this transformation: he realizes that true emancipation means not only freeing oneself from external influences but also breaking through ingrained emotional patterns. His journey represents a generation courageous enough to question its own history and declare, “I will do it differently.”
Ultimately, Alexander Vincent understands that true freedom can only be achieved through personal responsibility. The traces left behind symbolize the weight of emancipation — the scars and emotional cost that self-determination often demands.
| Pascal Bruckner Director, Writer, Producer Amina Unger Producer Jakob Pinter Key Cast “Alexander Vincent von Marceau” Mario Kuttnig Key Cast “Alexander Wilhelm von Marceau” Catherine Oborny Key Cast “Eleonore Elisabeth von Marceau” Bettina Soriat Key Cast “Agnes Ravel” Laurens Yassemipour Key Cast “Junger Alexander Vincent von Marceau” Katja Reichör Assistant Directors Charlotte Steidl Assistant Directors Günther Fiala Script Supervisor Charlotte Steidl Script Supervisor Sebastian Heiden Director of Photography Lukas Schlögl First Assistant Camera Alexander Steininger Second Assistant Camera Laurids Lamplmair Slate Operator Julia Hejny Lighting Director Charlotte Steidl Lighting Technician Irina Parzer Lighting Technician Noah Prigl Lighting Technician Konstantin Pott Lighting Technician Tizian Grundböck Lighting Technician Paul Lutz Lighting Technician Christoph Schacherl Sound Supervisor Nicole Huber Production Designer Naomi Hader Assistant Production Designer Daniela Diesner Assistant Set Designer Naomi Hader Costume Supervisor Nicole Huber Costume Assistant Naomi Hader Make-up Supervisor Zsanett Waldau Assistant Make-up Artist Vanja Stepic Set Runner Zsanett Waldau Set Runner Charlotte Steidl Set Runner Tizian Grundböck Set Runner Lukas Wippl Set Runner Markus Wiesinger Set Runner David Schneider Still Photographer Irina Parzer Still Photographer Philipp Lechthalter Still Photographer Yasmine Pliessing Safety Supervisor Elfriede Schoißwohl Safety Supervisor Herbert Haslinger Safety Supervisor Nicole Huber Editor Sebastian Heiden Assistant Editor Lukas Schlögl Assistant Editor Hannah Kuppelwieser Color Grading Sebastian Heiden Color Grading Paul Lutz VFX Hannah Kuppelwieser VFX Sebastian Heiden VFX Christoph Schacherl Sound Design Supervisor Naomi Hader Foley Artist Julia Hejny Foley Artist Nadja Holzbrecher Design & Branding Günther Fiala Composer Maximilian Klakow Music Supervisor Jye Bryant Lyrics Anetta Szabo Vocals Rebecca Soumagné Vocals Hari Baumgartner Vocals Michaela Schütz Violin 1 Alexander Galitsan Violin 2 Roza Kadyrova Viola Kristina Heumesser Violoncello Lukas Florian Double Bass Cornelia Schmidt Piano Florian Weixelbaumer Sound Studio Vintageroom |
