Close to the Horizon

"Close to the Horizon," a 2019 romantic drama directed by Tim Trachte, stars Jannik Schümann and Luna Wedler. The film is based on Jessica Koch's best-selling novel "So Near the Horizon." The story follows 18-year-old Jessica Koch, who falls in love with kickboxer Danny Taylor, played by Schümann. Despite his seemingly perfect exterior, Danny hides deep emotional scars from severe childhood abuse and his HIV infection, which he contracted from his father.

Initially unaware of Danny's struggles, Jessica notices his erratic behavior, particularly his fear of intimacy. After an argument, Danny reveals his traumatic past, forcing Jessica to confront her feelings and make life-altering decisions.

The film was shot in Cologne, Munich, and Portugal between September and November 2018. It premiered on October 10, 2019, following the release of its trailer in July of that year. Jannik Schümann received the Jupiter Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Danny.

The novel "Dem Horizont so nah" was first published as an e-book in 2016 and later formed part of Koch's trilogy, exploring Danny's traumatic childhood in the second book. Schümann noted that researching Danny's abuse helped him prepare mentally for the role.