Shooting done: „Call Me Levi“

Filming on “Call Me Levi” (WT) has come to an end in Italy. The four-part historical event series tells the story of the congenial work of Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis, which epitomises the longing for freedom and the American dream like no other. Directed by Neele Leana Vollmar, the series unfolds the astonishing story of two men who – initially each for himself – fight for a new life on the wild West Coast of America in the mid-19th century and together launch a groundbreaking invention in the world of fashion: the blue jeans. Vincent Redetzki, Amy Benkenstein, Anton von Lucke and Lea van Acken can be seen in the leading roles. Other roles are played by Bardo Böhlefeld, Hannes Wegener, Alessandro Schuster, Golo Euler, Roland Koch, Bernd Hölscher, Niels Bormann and Johannes Silberschneider.

About the content:

In San Francisco, during the gold rush of the mid-19th century, the young Levi Strauss (Vincent Redetzki), son of a Jewish peddler from Upper Franconia, doggedly lays the foundations to become one of the greatest pioneers in American history. Despite the most adverse circumstances in a rapidly growing city where corruption and political despotism dominate everyday life, unscrupulous competitors and numerous personal setbacks, he paves the way for the global success of blue jeans, which will forever be associated with his name. But without a fateful encounter, this success story would never have been written: When Levi Strauss meets Jacob Davis (Anton von Lucke), a Jewish tailor from Riga, who is almost his age.

The film was shot in Italy (Piedmont, Turin and the surrounding area) and South Tyrol (Oberbozen and Prad). “Call Me Levi” (WT) is a production of Lieblingsfilm GmbH in co-production with ARD Degeto and MDR for ARD and in co-operation with Viola Film, Rome and Bravado Entertainment, Belgium. Robert Marciniak is the producer and Susanne Hildebrand is the executive producer. The film is directed by Neele Leana Vollmar, who also wrote the books together with Robert Krause. Armin Dierolf is responsible for the camera and Michael Binzer for the set design. Costume design by Katharina Ost, make-up by Tatjana Krauskopf. The editorial lead is Barbara Süßmann and Christoph Pellander (both ARD Degeto), with Denise Langenhan responsible for MDR.

“Call Me Levi” (WT) is supported by the FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (FFF) and the IDM Südtirol. Bavaria Media is responsible for world sales.