September 2024: A film is shot. March 2026: A case becomes public. The film came first. #
The film #
On Monday, 23 March 2026, ZDF aired the film “Eine bessere Welt” (“A Better World”) at 8:15 p.m. Immediately afterwards, at 10:15 p.m., the documentary “Hate on the Net: A Better World” [1][2].
The film tells the story of Dr. Elena Stanat, a scientist who, after a TV appearance about climate change, becomes the target of digital hate. She makes contact with HateAid, who help her [3].
Dunja Hayali plays herself — as the moderator of the talk show [3].
The accompanying documentary “places the plot of the feature film in its real context” [2]. Speakers include Riccardo Simonetti, climate researcher Claudia Kemfert, and representatives of HateAid [4].
The film was produced by Zeitsprung Pictures GmbH (Cologne, founded in 1985 by Michael Souvignier) on behalf of ZDF [3][5].
The timing #
The film was shot from 26 September to 25 October 2024 [1]. World premiere at the 42nd Munich Film Festival 2025 [3].
The TV premiere on ZDF: 23 March 2026.
One day before, on 22 March 2026, the demo at the Brandenburg Gate took place — the demo on the Fernandes/Ulmen case, on whose stage HateAid managing director Josephine Ballon stood as organiser [6].
The Spiegel cover story on the Fernandes case appeared on 19 March 2026 [6].
The film was shot half a year before the case. But it was aired exactly one day after the demo.
The consultant #
Working as expert consultant on the film was Katja Diehl — mobility activist, author, and herself affected by hate on the net [3][7].
On 20 March 2026 — three days before the TV premiere and one day after the Spiegel cover story — Diehl published a blog post on her website: “Violence is Violence — Why I Was Part of ‘A Better World’.” [7]
In it she writes:
“I had the privilege of working in the background as a consultant for the dramaturg, the actress, and the director.” [7]
“For me, digital violence became visible in its full force in the course of Fridays for Future and the corona pandemic.” [7]
Diehl is no stranger to the HateAid network. On LinkedIn, she calls for donations to HateAid and the Amadeu Antonio Foundation — with the hashtags #HateAid #AmadeuAntonio #RettetFirewall [8].
“Violence is Violence” #
On 21 March 2026 — two days after the Spiegel cover story — Dunja Hayali published a video statement. Her core message: “Violence is violence. Analogue and digital.” [6]
On 20 March 2026, Katja Diehl published her blog post. The title: “Violence is Violence.” [7]
In the film itself, lead actress Peri Baumeister says: “Violence is violence. The psyche makes no difference between digital and analogue violence.” [7]
Three women. The same sentence. In three different media. Within four days.
The timeline #
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sep–Oct 2024 | Film “A Better World” is shot — HateAid in the plot |
| Dec 2024 | ZDF documentary “Die Spur: Deepfake-Pornos” with Fernandes |
| 2025 | Munich Film Festival — world premiere |
| End 2025 | Fernandes files complaint against Ulmen in Spain |
| 19.03.2026 | Spiegel cover story: “You raped me virtually” |
| 20.03.2026 | Diehl: “Violence is Violence” blog post. Campact: finished article |
| 21.03.2026 | Hayali: “Violence is Violence” video statement |
| 22.03.2026 | Demo at the Brandenburg Gate — HateAid on the stage |
| 23.03.2026 | ZDF film 8:15 p.m. + documentary 10:15 p.m. — HateAid featured |
| 23.03.2026 | 250 prominent women: 10-point plan in Spiegel |
| 24.03.2026 | Justice Minister Hubig (SPD) working on draft law |
What ZDF says about it #
Coincidence or timing? #
ZDF programme planning for a primetime slot runs months in advance. The Monday 8:15 p.m. slot is not awarded spontaneously.
The film was produced on behalf of ZDF. HateAid is built into the plot. The consultant calls for HateAid donations on LinkedIn. The moderator plays herself and simultaneously publishes a statement with wording identical to the film character.
Whether the timing is coincidence is for everyone to judge. The facts are public.
Sources #
[1] ZDF: Eine bessere Welt — feature film, shooting period September–October 2024.
[2] ZDF: Hate on the Net: A Better World — accompanying documentary, first broadcast 23 March 2026, 10:15 p.m.
[3] Film credits Eine bessere Welt — production: Zeitsprung Pictures GmbH (Cologne) on behalf of ZDF. World premiere: 42nd Munich Film Festival 2025. Lead actress Peri Baumeister, Dunja Hayali as moderator in her own role.
[4] ZDF accompanying documentary — statements among others by Riccardo Simonetti, climate researcher Claudia Kemfert, and representatives of HateAid.
[5] Zeitsprung Pictures GmbH, Cologne — founded in 1985 by Michael Souvignier.
[6] Spiegel (19.03.2026): “You raped me virtually” — cover story on the Fernandes/Ulmen case. Demo at the Brandenburg Gate (22.03.2026), HateAid managing director Josephine Ballon as organiser on the stage. Dunja Hayali (ZDF): video statement of 21.03.2026.
[7] Katja Diehl (20.03.2026): “Violence is Violence — Why I Was Part of ‘A Better World’” — blog post, katja-diehl.de.
[8] Katja Diehl, LinkedIn — public call for donations to HateAid and the Amadeu Antonio Foundation (hashtags #HateAid #AmadeuAntonio #RettetFirewall).
