Arda Esberk Academy

A film about an extraordinary stage production in which courage, identity and inner transformation are interwoven in a touching way

“Cybeles Töchter” is an extraordinary stage production about courage, identity and inner transformation. Mythology, theatre, dance and personal life stories merge into a moving experience at ufaFabrik Berlin.

After the successful premiere, the interdisciplinary theatre project “Kybeles Töchter” returns to the ufaFabrik stage on April 17, 2027. The production combines acting, dance, music and cinematic storytelling to create an emotional journey that combines mythology with the questions of modern people and invites the audience to deep personal reflection.

Inspired by the book “Awaken the Hero in You” by author and director Arda Eşberk, the project is based on the cinedrama approach he developed — a transformation method that combines the universal language of cinema, creative theatre, mythology and archetypical psychology. The focus is on the question of how stories can inspire people to shape their own life path more consciously and to enable inner change.

The project is named after Cybele, the Anatolian mother goddess. For thousands of years, it has been a symbol of creation, renewal, courage and the creative power of life. Based on this archetypical figure, “Cybele's Daughters” builds a bridge to eight extraordinary women whose life stories still inspire people all over the world today: Joan of Arc, Frida Kahlo, Coco Chanel, Manal Al-Sharif, Rita Levi-Montalcini, Maya Angelou, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Kara Fatma.

They come from different countries, cultures and epochs — and yet they are united by the courage to overcome social barriers and bring about lasting change.

But “Cybele's Daughters” doesn't just tell their stories. A significant part of the ensemble consists of women from various cultural backgrounds, many of whom have never been on stage before. During a creative process lasting several months, they dealt intensively with the historical figures and combined their experiences with their own life story. The result is an authentic presentation in which art and personal experience merge in a special way.

In an age characterized by wars, migration, social polarization, loneliness and the search for identity, the production invites the audience to look at their own lives. Possible questions include:

What is my goal?

What is stopping me from achieving this goal?

And am I ready to take on the lead role in my own life?

The piece doesn't provide any ready-made answers. Rather, it opens up a space in which every visitor can find their own answers. “Cybeles Töchter” is therefore much more than a production about important women in history. It is a universal story about self-discovery, hope, resilience and the courage to consciously shape one's own life.

Inspired by Berlin's cultural diversity, the project brings people from different backgrounds together on one stage and makes the unifying power of art tangible. It reminds us that social change always starts with a willingness to change yourself.

About Cinedrama

Cinedrama is a transformation method developed by Arda Eşberk that combines the universal language of cinema, creative theatre, mythology and archetypical psychology. The focus is on the concept of “The Hero's Way,” which serves as an artistic and psychological framework. Stories are not only told, but also made tangible as a reflection of one's own life journey. The aim is to help people discover their inner resources, overcome obstacles and develop their personal potential.

About Arda Esberk Academy

The Arda Esberk Academy, based in Berlin, combines art, education and personal development in interdisciplinary projects. Based on the cinedrama approach developed by Arda Eşberk, theatre productions, educational programs and workshops are created that combine film, theatre, mythology, communication and archetypical psychology.

The Academy's educational offerings include continuing education in cinema drama, acting and creative drama as well as seminars on communication, personal development, meditation, mindfulness and yoga. The aim of the Academy is to help people develop their creative potential and promote dialogue between different cultures through art.

About the director

Arda Eşberk is an author, director and founder of the cinedrama approach. In his interdisciplinary work, he combines theatre, film, mythology and archetypical psychology into a holistic artistic concept. For many years, he has been developing projects that combine personal development with the performing arts.

Since 2019, Arda Eşberk has lived and worked in Berlin. He is the author and director of the theatre project “Cybeles Töchter”. With his book “Erwecke den Helden in Dir” translated into German and the cinedrama approach he developed, he creates artistic spaces in which stories inspire people to consciously shape their own path, to discover inner resources and to initiate personal change processes.