One Hand the Other is an intimate documentary chamber piece about care, autonomy, and the fragile balance between closeness and distance.

Martina uses a wheelchair. In order to live independently in her own apartment, she relies on personal assistance. When Sandra starts working with her, a careful process of mutual adjustment begins. Step by step, the two women develop a collaboration that makes everyday life possible.

Sandra performs the movements Martina intends but cannot execute herself. Martina gives the instructions; Sandra follows. Between them, a subtle power dynamic emerges—constantly renegotiated between restraint and presence, care and professional distance. At the same time, Martina struggles to maintain control over her own life while coming to terms with her dependence on assistance.

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Within the intense intimacy of this relationship, both tenderness and tension become visible. Every gesture is part of a ritualized routine, every shift in movement an act of mutual trust. Daily life becomes a fragile choreography demanding physical, emotional, and structural resilience from both women.

The film remains entirely within the confined space of Martina’s apartment, observing the quiet negotiations between the protagonists through long, patient takes. Its deliberate, slow rhythm makes the particular temporality of Martina’s life perceptible and allows space for what often remains unseen.

One Hand the Other marks the first co-directed film by Lenna Fichter and Janis Westphal. Lenna’s personal perspective—having worked for several years as Martina’s assistant—intertwines with Janis’ observational approach from the outside, resulting in an intimate and political film about bodies, relationships, and the subtle struggles embedded in everyday life.

Written, Directed & Produced by
Lenna Fichter
Janis Westphal

Director of Photography
Nina Kunz

Editor
Marisol B. Lima

Sound Design & Mix
Nils Plambeck

Color Grading
Ben Parker

Dramaturgical Consultant
Christiane Büchner

Trailer

05.2024
DocSydney Film Festival, Australien


05.2024
Cannes Film Week Festival, Frankreich


04.2024
Ghent Viewpoint Film Festival, Belgien


02.2024
Doc42 Screenings, Deutschland


01.2024
Martinique IFF, Martinique, Frankreich 


12.2023
Cinemaking IFF, Bangladesh

…mehr

12.2023
Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions, GB

12.2023
First Time Filmmakers Sessions, GB

11.2023
Manhatten Independent Film Festival, USA

09.2023
Willkommen Zuhause IFF, Deutschland

08.2023
Ierapetra IFF, Kreta, Griechenland

03.2023
Kalakari IFF, Indien