Born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark. Asger K. Bartels is a self-taught filmmaker who began working in the film industry right after he finished high school. Wanting to become a director, he started to learn the craft of filmmaking up close by volunteering as best-boy, gaffer and AD on indie projects. After half a year of working on others project he decided put his money where his mouth was. He started saving up money, working multiple jobs as a waiter and bartender while writing the script for what was to become his first feature film “Natsværmer” (“Dream State”).
Dream State premiered at CPH:PIX, the biggest feature film festival in Denmark. Only 21 years of age at the time of the premiere, Asger Bartels was the youngest director selected for the festival. Furthermore Dream State won “Best Danish Film” at Annual Copenhagen Film Festival 2019.
The idea for “Natsværmer” (“Dream State”) came about after I finished high school and witnessed my peers and myself struggle with what to do in the future. We felt the immense pressure and difficulty of deciding our paths in life, when being presented with an overwhelming amount of possibilities. Wanting to become a film director I felt the pressure as much as anyone.
I chose to take the point of view of a person past this point. A person who has already chosen their presumed goal in life and is now living in it. Or rather drowning in it. Louis, the main character of “Natsværmer” (“Dream State”) personifies this impending fear of choosing your future and working towards it throughout your youth, only to realise that you are now in your 30’s and nowhere near where you envisaged yourself to be.