MSV DUISBURG
NIEMALS UNTERGEHN'One day the sun went out and not even the smartest scientists knew what happened.
Credits
Written and Directed by:
Johannes Hauswirth, Kira Rosendahl
Camera Operator:
Samuel Regier, Chris Schmitz, Mathias Jener
Produced by:
Kira Rosendahl
Behind the Scenes:
Julian Ziemek
As a Duisburg-based collective, we feel deeply connected to the city’s culture.
A vital part of this culture is the local football team, MSV Duisburg, one of the founding clubs of Germany’s renowned Bundesliga. The spirit of Duisburg’s strong, hardworking mentality and pride is echoed in the fans’ devotion. However, in recent years, this legacy has been overshadowed by hardship. After years of financial struggles, MSV was relegated to the 4th division in the summer of 2024. This low point though was met with a renewed sense of solidarity and resilience among supporters and an influx of fresh energy within the organization itself. Strategic decisions to secure a better future for MSV have positioned it as a top contender for promotion — offering new hope for a comeback.
After the demotion, we felt a strong need to create a film that would contribute some optimism and a feeling of hope to the supporters of this iconic team. Johannes, who is a lifelong fan, wanted to shoot a tribute to MSV Duisburg. Kira quickly joined the project and developed Johannes’s initial drafts into the story that became our final version.
Drawing inspiration from MSV’s motto, “#MSVereint” (“#MSVUnited”), we developed a concept that celebrates the unbreakable spirit of Duisburg’s football culture: heritage, mutual support, and unity. Our film highlights the diverse stories of fans and their relationships with MSV, culminating in a shared love for the team and its values, while reminding viewers of better days and the emotional power that football—and MSV specifically — holds.
During production, the project, self-financed and born purely out of love for the team and its legacy, received overwhelming support from friends, fans, and even strangers throughout the city and beyond. This solidarity exceeded our expectations and underscored the strength of the community behind MSV Duisburg. The film’s success has sparked conversations between us and the organization, paving the way for future projects that can help restore MSV Duisburg’s former glory.
This project stood out to us not only because it was a personal success for us as a team, but also due to the tremendous production effort it required, as timing was critical to capture the momentum that had energized the fanbase at the start of the ’24–’25 season. In total, over 60 people were involved, both behind and in front of the camera.
Our title, adapted from a well-known team chant, “[…]Der Spielverein aus Meiderich wird niemals untergehn’[…]” (roughly translated as “The club will never go down, we are here to stay”), encapsulates the unwavering spirit of MSV and the city it represents.
