MENU
  • 2023

TWENTYTИƎWT / 二〇二〇

Shot entirely from an apartment on the 36th floor of a high-rise building, the images in this experimental animated documentary survey large parts of Hong Kong’s cityscape, drawing attention to the individual lives hidden inside its buildings - together alone, collectively sequestered. Initially recorded in 2020 and completed in 2023 with the advantage of critical distance, TWENTYTИƎWT / 二〇二〇 attempts to encapsulate the darkness, confinement, and uncertainty of the year 2020.

Summary

In the 3D-stereoscopic version of the film, an extreme distance of up to two meters is used between the two synchronised cameras capturing the stereoscopic scenes. Through this experimental technique, the viewers’ interocular distance is widened, making them giants and the city a miniature. Shooting with two cameras so far apart results in much greater depth perception at far distances, and buildings appear like cardboard cut-outs or dollhouses. This expanded stereoscopic approach creates a strong defamiliarisation, through which the city is further estranged and reconfigured.

Awards

Credits

English title TWENTYTИƎWT
Chinese title 二〇二〇
Director & Producer Max Hattler
Editing Zhang Riwen, Max Hattler
Animation and Compositing Zhang Riwen, Ty Lok Yi, Liu Da, Max Hattler
Photography Max Hattler
Sound Eduardo Noya
Available formats UHD, 1080p HD, DCP
Country Hong Kong, Germany
Frame rate 24
Length 7’00”
Year 2023
This work was supported by Relentless Melt with a project grant from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and by a GRF grant from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Project No. 11602919). Additionally supported through an ACIM Individual Research Fellowship from the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong.

Special thanks to Matthew Gidney, Ip Yuk-yiu, and Maryam Katan.

Still Images

PressKit

Dowload a presskit here with an artist statement, screening information, awards and sample photos Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisici elit, sed eiusmod tempor incidunt ut labore et dolore magna.

Download
Presskit ↓

Screenings & Exhibitions

2024

2023

2022

2021

What others have said​

Max Hattler’s experimental animation TWENTYTИƎWT summarizes a year of global change in an impressive cinematic condensation. High above the rooftops of Hong Kong, the film reveals what being alone in a megacity means, tracing stories hidden behind the glowing facades. Static, linear perspectives and a long zoom make the bleak emotions and limitations of the year 2020 intensely palpable.

Louise Linsenbolz, Vienna Shorts, 2024

ein Mosaik der Isolation innerhalb der Hochhauswildnis.

Falter.at, 2024

For an interesting and non-trivial form which forces the viewers to submit to the presented history, and for creative transposition of fears and uncertainties of contemporary people.

Jury Statement, Special Mention Borderlands, StopTrik International Film Festival, 2023

Some other films that really stood out: (…) the urban building atmosphere of 二〇二〇 by Max Hattler.

Vassilis Kroustallis, Zippy Frames, 2023

Other Projects

OS_1_2023_Max_Hattler
  • 2025

O/S (V3 Test)

Taking inspiration from 20th-century avant-garde experiments in graphical sound generation, the entire image in O/S functions as an optical soundtrack. Abstract motion becomes sound. What you hear is what you see.

catch - the egg - max hattler
  • 2009

Catch

Official music video for The Egg's song Catch, from their 2012 album Something To Do.

OS_1_2023_Max_Hattler
  • 2026

O/S (V4 Test)

Taking inspiration from 20th-century avant-garde experiments in graphical sound generation, the entire image in O/S functions as an optical soundtrack. Abstract motion becomes sound. What you hear is what you see.

Newsletter

© 2026 Max Hattler. All rights reserved.

Website by Bento Graphics Inc.

CLOSE