The project Das Verschwinden der Trolle (The Disappearance of the Trolls) is a short film that was recorded in one take with a smartphone, using primarily Lego and Schleich figures and pictures. In order to change the “actors” and backdrops between the individual scenes, the recording was simply paused.

The story is about a mythical land long before our time, a land teeming with fantastic creatures such as unicorns, dragons, gryphons, and fairies, all of whom coexist peacefully. One day, however, trolls arrive on a large ship to overthrow the beloved king of this magical realm, Balduin the Barefooted and Brave, to conquer the land, and to steal the king’s legendary crystal scepter, which is said to possess magical powers. The dim-witted ogres began their brutal search, destroying villages and woods along the way and killing many forest creatures. Ultimately, they succeed in finding the coveted treasure but also suffer a “misfortune” in the process: the trolls are banished into the magical crystal, and their evil deeds are thus all undone. Finally, peace returns to the land.

Luis Schweighofer (b. 2009) is the oldest of three siblings, lives with his family in Baden bei Wien, and is finishing his final year of primary school. When he is not playing with his friends or family, riding his bike, wandering through the woods and vineyards, building forts and climbing trees, he can usually be found with his nose in a book. Immersing himself in stories and even telling some himself is what he likes doing most. Ever since he could talk, he has been arranging figures and making up stories, from Punch-and-Judy shows and ghost trains to escape rooms. Luis is a member of the Biondekbühne theater club and very much enjoys acting out scenes and playing with language.