BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. Documentary series with Max and Ellen Schupbach

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Mamaki Film

About

In each episode of this series, Max and Ellen Schupbach help a client work with a specific problem, conflict or question. They show how a process can be “unfolded” to find answers and reveal the true beauty of human nature.

These episodes don’t offer ready-made answers. Instead, they show a process of exploration in which every step grows out of a particular experience in a particular context. Something here may resonate with you — or your own path may turn out to be completely different.

Max and Ellen Schupbach are the founders of the Deep Democracy Institute International (DDI). In their work they use process-oriented psychology, or Process Work, a method developed by Arnold Mindell and his colleagues.

We warmly thank our partners at Atelier Gardens in Berlin for letting us film in their beautiful, historic TON 3 sound stage.

Trailer for the documentary series "BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE". "BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE" SONG Instead of a trailer, we created a song – a soundtrack that captures the essence of our project. Listen and feel the heart of the story!

https://atelier-gardens.de
Filming location:
Atelier Gardens, TON 3 (Berlin, Germany)
Max and Ellen Schupbach

Episode 1. Ruth: The Right to Be Unproductive

Theoretical introduction and a session with Ruth. In this episode, Max and Ellen delve into Ruth's question: "How can I find the right balance between hard work and rest?"

Episode 2. Jannicke: Fibroids and Doctors Who Don't Explain

A discussion on the marginalization of women’s health and practical work with Jannicke, who seeks a deeper understanding of her illness.

Episode 3. Sue: Answering Racism Without Becoming It

Sue is working through the challenge of managing her emotional reactions to cruel, racist statements. She says, "I can be angry, but I don’t want to be — it hurts me."

Episode 4. Tanja: Weight Gain — Shame or Strength?

Tanja notices changes in her body but doesn’t immediately realize they reflect more than just weight gain—they mark a profound inner transformation. This story goes beyond appearance, exploring movement, self-acceptance, and the freedom to fully own one’s presence.

Episode 5. Stephanie: The Leap Through Fear

Stephanie is torn between being a lover and a fighter. This conflict runs through her life, from relationships to career. She explores how fear and social expectations hold back her dreams.

Episode 6. Lucy: A Rescuer Stepmother and a Son Who Won't Get Up

Lucy feels torn between love and frustration toward her stepson, who spends most of his days in bed. She realizes how her involvement reinforces the pattern and, through play and embracing solitude, discovers a sense of freedom.

Episode 7. Theory Process: Who Is Right? Conflict and the Inner Critic

A split emerges in the group: some are frustrated by the seminar’s schedule change, while others welcome the extra time to rest. Max and Ellen explore the conflict through role-play, revealing the deeper dynamics at play.

Episode 8. Benjamin: Talking to Children About Suicide

Benjamin is struggling with the loss of loved ones and is unsure how to talk about it with his children. Through role-play and a conversation on personal choice, he gains a new perspective on life and its meaning.

Episode 9. Karin: A Woman in Academia and the Glass Walls

Karin dreams of earning a PhD, but she feels trapped by bureaucracy, academic rules, and her own doubts. She explores her limitations and discovers how to move forward on her own terms.

Episode 10. Frank: Age Is a Trance

Frank comes with the theme of aging—time is passing, energy is fading, and health challenges are increasing. Through dream work, he gains insight into the deeper meaning of this stage of life.

Episode 11. Nooknick: Fear of Closeness and the Monster in the Basement

Nooknick, a young woman from Thailand, is torn between openness and the fear of isolation. With the help of role-playing and support, she finds a way to connect with others.

Episode 12. Ilona: When Politics and War Divide Friends

Ilona explores whether it’s possible to preserve friendship despite deep political differences. The conversation unfolds into a powerful and honest reflection on pain, love, responsibility, and the importance of spoken connection.

Episode 13. Theory: Four Stages of Life and Last Regrets

This episode is primarily theoretical. Max and Ellen Schupbach explore the stages of life and, through reflections on caregiving, leadership, romance, and regret, invite the viewer to look at their life path in a new way.

Episode 14. Ilaria: Acne and Shyness

Ilaria explores the connection between a physical symptom (acne) and her shyness, discovering a brighter and more direct side of herself.

Episode 15. Moritz: Lucid Dreams — Oddity or Gift?

Moritz explores the topic of lucid dreaming and its connection to reality, imagination, and music. Throughout the session, he discovers that his fascination with the dream world is not a flaw, but a gift.

Episode 16. Daria: A Refugee Earning a Living Without Losing Herself

In this episode, Daria — a refugee and lifelong free spirit — searches for a way to earn money without betraying herself. Her words are translated in real-time and appear in subtitles.

Episode 17. Joseph: The Maasai, Lions and Tourists — A Conflict Over Land

In this episode, facilitator Ellen works with Max and his project partner from Masai Mara (Kenya) — Joseph (Odupoy), helping them explore their collaboration and shared vision. Their conversation bridges cultures, experiences, and perspectives on the future.

Episode 18. Anna: No Team, No Leader — Leading Herself

In this episode, Anna shares an idea for a social project and faces an inner conflict: how to move forward without a team or a leader.

Episode 19. Tatyana: Longing for Home and Duty to a Mother

In this episode, Tatyana explores how to reconnect with a sense of home and choose Life in the midst of major transition.

Episode 20. Eva: Loneliness — No Partner, No Calling

Eva explores her dreams of vocation and love — and unexpectedly finds a path toward embracing life as it is.

Episode 21. Inna: A Mother With Dementia — Anger, Guilt, New Connection

Inna shares the emotional challenges of living with her mother, who’s slowly losing her memory. How do you let go of who someone used to be — and build a new kind of connection?

Episode 22. Silke: Afraid to Start — Perfectionism

In this episode, Silke wants to work on her “relationship with her husband,” but it quickly becomes clear that the real focus is her inner process.

Episode 23. Maike: I Wanted to Save the World — Idealism and Quiet Strength

This episode explores how we carry our life myth from childhood through adulthood — not always as we imagined, but always present. Through Maike’s story and group dialogue, it becomes a reflection on quiet strength, rediscovery, and the power of small, meaningful moments.

Episode 24. Group Process: Life Myths — the Beach, the Cough, the Devil and the Bus

In this episode, participants explore their life myths through body images, dreams, and childhood memories. Inner symbols — the beach, the voice, the devil, the bus — become guides toward awareness, self-acceptance, and simple yet profound truths.

SPEAKING OF BEAUTY

An interview inspired by the Beautiful People project.