In the middle of the mountains of Vorarlberg, Toni runs a camp with 15 huskies. Taking care of the dogs and extensive sledding in a breathtaking landscape are part of his daily life. As a seven-year-old, he was able to survive leukemia and therefore invites families with seriously ill children to spend relaxing hours with his dogs in the carefree environment of nature. Furthermore, host parents talk about their own fate.
A new cancer diagnosis plunges Toni into an abyss. He tries to suppress the fear of not surviving this time. He flees to Sweden. There he tries to master his fear, in the solitude of the vast landscape, together with his huskies.
After the cancer operation, Toni spends a summer with his wife and youngest daughter in northern Sweden, where he wants to convince them to live in the far north. But a visiting host family with a child suffering from leukemia brings Toni new insights.
An authentic film about the fate of a unique person who must face his fears in order to find his own happiness again.
A true story - the most touching film of the year !
The musher Anto Kuttner (51) lives in Bludesch (Austria) and runs a camp with his 18 huskies alternately on the Tschengla (Bürserberg, Vorarlberg) and one in Jämtland in northern Sweden. In addition to his normal clientele, Toni mainly receives families with seriously ill children, whom he invites through his association "Husky Toni’s children’s dream".
But Toni also has a fate of his own, which has prompted him to become involved in social services/community engagement. As a young boy, he survived leukemia thanks to a bone marrow donation from his sister. At that time as one of the few. In hospital, the image of a husky had given him strength and fueled his desire for a pack of huskies. In his mid-forties, Toni survived a severe case of oral cavity cancer. He continues to fight for himself, his family and other affected people in Vorarlberg.
The film HUSKY TONI go ahead is dedicated to this commitment and fate.
Toni is a real nature person. He knows how important it is to keep moving for his health. That's why the sleigh rides with his huskies are the most beautiful moments for him. He also enjoys the lonely hours he needs to organize his thoughts and fight against his inner demons.
The question of coming to terms with physical and psychological traumas and dealing with the transience of life preoccupies Toni just as much as all families who find themselves in similar situations. The film shows that through active processing and the effect of nature, both psyche and soul can come to rest.
The philosopher Dr. Ina Schmidt, for example, writes in her book “Über die Vergänglichkeit” ("On Transience”, p.91): Instead of dealing with our own finiteness, which gives it space and visibility in life and thinking of social communities, we withdraw more and more into private relationships and try to suppress our own transience from the public space as much as possible, so as not to have to expose ourselves to it. This phenomenon is so common that we
should go in search of its origins.
The point of the narrative is to show the great commitment of this person and to learn why he retreats into solitude again and again. Through the conversations between Toni and parents of seriously ill children, the film delves into their thoughts and coping mechanisms. All protagonists experience their own true life where documentary meets psychodrama.
The film's subject matter and implementation give it significant social relevance.
Production av-design GmbH
Script Jana und Ulrich Grimm
Directed by Ulrich Grimm
Dramaturgy Ulrike Schweiger
Music Marcus Nigsch
Sound Design Romana Grimm
Camera Joerg Burger, Astrid Heubrandtner
Original sound Joseph Nikolussi, Hubert Grissemann
Editing Lis Pucar, Niki Mossböck
Trailer Romana Grimm
Line Producer Peter Janecek
Producer Jana Grimm
Distribution AT Einhorn-Film
Marketing AT Stephan Welan
We care about our environment.
A GREEN FILMING PRODUCTION ÖFI/ÖFI+ // GREEN BONUS
A child protection concept was developed
and all official permits were obtained.
The ethical guidelines of the Austrian Film Institute were adhered to
and respectful treatment was maintained throughout the entire production.
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