Cape Town, ZA
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Maximilian Thieme Luca de Tena. Director and photographer based in Cape Town. Ten years of making things move.

— Direction — Camera — Post
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Max T Media

10 YRS TELLING STORIES AND MAKING THINGS MOVE
06 Films
CPT Based, working anywhere
Index / Motion 07
Motion / 06 Films

Motion

Direction, camera and post across documentary, campaign and commercial work.

01

Driven by Fire

Documentary

I met Justo in Australia at a Christmas party early in his travels. Justo's enthusiasm was contagious, and he shared what had happened to his father and how it pushed him to become the best version of himself. He was planning a half marathon; Max suggested a triathlon instead. Recognising the story in it, Max proposed a short documentary to help him find sponsorship for the Ironman.

Justo and friends at the race
02

Vivo Teaser

Teaser

I've always been a sneakerhead, hooked on style, design, and the latest kicks. But lately my feet have been paying the price, and maybe my shoes are working against me.

That's when I discovered Vivobarefoot. My brother swears by them, and I had to find out for myself: can barefoot shoes change my comfort and my connection to the outdoors?

This is the start of my story, before the switch. The plan: test Vivobarefoot shoes in Cape Town's epic terrain, and find out together if barefoot really is the future.

03

Desert Cesna

Campaign — made with Evan Leff
Evan and friend at the Cessna

In collaboration with my friend Evan Leff, we created a unique campaign where two bachelors embark on an adventure, flying out to the desert to have breakfast with a friend. The project allowed us to work with some of Cape Town's finest stores and brands, including Self Life, Nike, Carhartt, G-Shock, Issaleo, Superfuture Retro, and King of the West Coast. This collaboration blended our passion for storytelling with fashion and lifestyle, resulting in a creative and visually compelling campaign.

Watch on YouTube ↗
04

Kalk Bay

Short

Kalk Bay Reef turned on Saturday, 9 May 2026. One of those days the locals wait all summer for. This is a compilation of the surfers and bodyboarders who showed up and charged the slab. Heavy drops, clean barrels, and a few wipeouts you'll want to rewind.

05

Sweden, G.Towers

Campaign — made with Evan Leff

Shot in Sweden, with Evan playing a wealthy bachelor on a luxurious stay at a high-end hotel. A study in elegance and refinement set against a Swedish backdrop.

Watch on YouTube ↗
Hotel shower editorial stack
06

Neulich Beer

Commercial — with Motion Control Berlin
Beer pour rig on the robot arm

Collaboration with Motion Control Berlin, founded by Maciej Thiem and Plamen Bontchev, alongside visual engineer Mieszko Socha. A beer commercial built around the company's robot arm, pairing slow-motion cameras with precise robotic movement.

Watch on Vimeo ↗
Stills / Galleries

Stills

Campaign and lifestyle photography, shot alongside the films and on their own.

Desert Cesna

Campaign stills
Cockpit triptych
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At the Cessna triptych
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In-flight triptych

Sweden

Campaign stills
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Gothenburg tram collage

Evan Berlin

Editorial
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Instagram

Lifestyle / Personal
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Cape Town beach at sunset
About / Maximilian Thieme Luca de Tena

About

Maximilian Thieme Luca de Tena
Born in Cape Town, South Africa.

My journey into film began at a young age, capturing my friends as they engaged in extreme sports. After taking a gap year, I decided to study film and pursue it as a career. Over the past 10 years, I've traveled the world, gaining new perspectives and a deeper understanding of myself. Through these experiences, I've realized that my true passion lies in storytelling, which has driven me to focus on directing. My love for all aspects of film, not just camera work, has naturally guided me toward this path.

Max levitating against a grain silo
Testimonials
Maciej Thiem on set
Maciej Tim Director & CEO, Motion Control Berlin

Working with Max Thieme has been a significant asset on set. Max is detail-oriented and has a strong ability to stay aware of everything happening around him. His quick instincts and problem-solving skills are impressive, often finding creative solutions to challenges. Max's dedication is clear in how he manages scenes and anticipates issues before they occur. His professionalism and creativity make him a valuable addition to any project. I highly recommend Max for any role that requires a quick-thinking professional who gets the job done.

Ahna de Vena
Ahna de Vena Director & CEO, Sleep Well and Thrive

When I first brought my corporate trailer to Max, it was frankly quite boring. He took one look at it and confidently said, "I can do way better." So, I handed it over, and what I witnessed was nothing short of remarkable. Max completely transformed it with such clarity and precision, it was as if he instinctively knew exactly what it needed. And he did it all so quickly.

Working with him was an absolute pleasure. I had confidence in him from the start, and now, when I look at what he created, I feel that it truly reflects the quality of my work. It speaks for me, and I'm completely at ease knowing it's out there in the world.

I highly recommend working with Max for anything related to camera work and editing.

Services
01

Direction

Story-led films and campaigns, from concept through to delivery.

02

Camera

Shooting and camera department work, on commercials, documentary, and campaign shoots.

03

Post

Editing, colour, and finishing.

04

Photography

Campaign and lifestyle stills, shot alongside the film or on their own.

Behind the scenes

Neulich / MCB
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