Die toten Vögel sind oben / Dead Birds Flying High

Jürgen Friedrich Mahrt, born 1882 in Elsdorf, grew up on the family farm, discovering his love for the surrounding natural world at an early age. He kept a birdwatching diary, and collected butterflies, caterpillars, and insects. He also learned taxidermy and was passionate about photography, documenting not only nature, but also daily life in the countryside. Farming took a back bench to his collection, which grew ever larger and more specialized. His family still speaks about him today. Director Sönje Storm, Mahrt’s great-granddaughter, has reconstructed his life from the artifacts he left behind and from his incredibly precise photographs and drawings. She brings scientists on board to catalogue his collection, for Mahrt’s work provides a glimpse into both the ecosystem and natural science research of his time, telling a story about the beauty and flux of nature.