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FREE AT HEART Arrives at the 24th FICM with Max Hegewald

Katia Barragán

As part of the 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), the German film Free at Heart (2025) was screened. The event was attended by the film’s director, Max Hegewald, and several cast members, including the lead actors, Linus Moog and Aurel Klug.

The story follows Sebastian, a sheltered and quiet 16-year-old whose world changes when his family takes in Kolja, the 15-year-old son of a deceased friend of his father.

The screening was made possible through a partnership between the FICM, Festival Mix México: Cine y Diversidad Sexual, and the Goethe-Institut Mexiko. These institutions frequently collaborate to showcase German films centered on sexual and gender diversity through special screenings and by facilitating visits from filmmakers to various festivals.

Free at Heart was selected by Festival MIX for presentation at the FICM following its success at the festival’s 30th edition, where it won awards for Best Film and Best Director, as well as the Audience Award.

The screening was attended by Alfonso Escandón, director of Festival MIX México, and Daniela Michel, founder and director of FICM. Escandón thanked the audience for the full house, as well as Daniela Michel for her support of the festival, and the Goethe-Institut Mexiko. He also noted that this was the first project supported by Filmbüro LATAM—a regional office established by German Films and the Goethe-Institut, with branches in Buenos Aires and Mexico City—through its new office in Mexico, which aims to bring more German films to the country.

Representing the Goethe-Institut Mexiko were its director-general, Pia Entenmann, and Ana Zamboni, director of the German Film Festival (FCA) and a film programmer. 

Daniela Michel highlighted the importance of Festival MIX México's work: “We believe it is very important for Festival MIX to maintain a presence. It's the oldest festival in Mexico City, and we always feel a great sense of pride and admiration for it.”

Following the screening, a Q&A session took place, during which the director was asked about the challenges of securing support for a film that explores queer themes. Hegewald replied that it was indeed difficult, but that throughout the process, he encountered others who also wished to create and promote such films—which proved to be a tremendous help.

The actors were asked about their experience during the shoot, their favorite scenes, and the most challenging ones to film. Both noted that certain scenes were complex—particularly those marked by high tension, in which they were often on screen alone. They added, however, that having known each other from previously working together in theater made the process much easier.

Finally, an audience member thanked the director and the actors for creating and sharing the film, noting that it had “touched” him. He also commended their effort in traveling to Mexico and for having the courage to address subjects that cinema often still shies away from.