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GERMAN CINEMA OPENING THE DOORS TO
Welcome to the Fest Herzlich Willkommen A very warm welcome to the 15th German Film Fest in Australia! Once again, this unique festival of German language films and international co-productions is presented by the Goethe-Institut and German Films in cooperation with our valued partners and sponsors. 2016 is an exciting year for German films. Who would have thought that a German comedy would get raving reviews at Cannes and an Academy Award nomination? But Maren Ade’s Toni Erdmann is just one reason why this year’s festival celebrates the amazing women behind and in front of the camera, from outstanding performances by Sandra Hüller, Julia Jentsch or Martina Gedeck to courageous filmmakers like Anne Zohra Berrached, Leonie Krippendorff and Doris Dörrie. Our guests include young talent Jella Haase from last year’s favourite Suck me Shakespeer (Fack ju Göhte), starring in very different roles in 4 Kings, Looping and Heidi. Some Hollywood glamour will light the festival with renowned actor Clemens Schick (Casino Royale), in 4 Kings and Hidden Reserves, brought to you right from the world premiere in Zurich. We are also thrilled to have worked with a fabulous team of highly acclaimed Australian film critics, who have provided valuable input and advice: Margaret Pomeranz, Paul Byrnes, Richard Kuipers and Peter Krausz. Find out their favourite film selections in our ‘Critic’s Pick’ category. With over 25 Australian premieres, come and discover some hidden gems from our retro classics, take your kids along to our school screenings or family weekends, and enjoy the special film treats from our Swiss and Austrian neighbours. See you at the movies! Viel Vergnügen! Sonja Griegoschewski GOETHE-INSTITUT AUSTRALIEN
Mariette Rissenbeek GERMAN FILMS
GOETHE-INSTITUT AUSTRALIEN SYDNEY 90 Ocean Street Woollahra NSW 2025 T (02) 8356 8333 www.goethe.de/australia F (02) 8356 8314
MELBOURNE Level 1, 448 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004 T (03) 9864 8999 F (03) 9864 8988 1
Welcome to Germany
In cooperation with
© dpa - Report
Begin your journey in the vibrant capital of Berlin. Berlin is 365/24 – a sparkling array of events, highlights, entertainment and culture every day. Contrasting the buzz of Berlin is the countryside and small towns in Germany, brought to life by Viking’s river cruises. Explore more of Germany: www.germany.travel
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS CINEMA PARTNERS
GOLD PARTNERS
SILVER PARTNERS
BRONZE PARTNERS
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
TECHNICAL PARTNERS
OPENING NIGHT PARTNERS
FESTIVAL GUESTS
Born in 1992 in Berlin, Jella Haase represents one of Germany’s most promising up-and-coming talents. Since 2008, she has been winning us over with her range of roles both on TV and the big screen, including hits such as Lollipop Monster (2011) and Combat Girls (2012), which earned her the Bavarian Film Award for Best Newcomer in 2012. She became most
recognised for her roles in the hugely successful Suck me Shakespeer series (Fack ju Göhte) and her leading role in 4 Kings led her to be selected as Germany’s European Shooting Star at the 2016 Berlinale. Jella will be a triple feature in this year’s festival, appearing in films 4 Kings [see page 12], Heidi [see page 40] and Looping [see page 22].
©Steffi Henn/glampool
JELLA HAASE
Already a success in Germany both on stage and screen, Clemens Schick is fast becoming an international star, after appearing in the widely acclaimed Casino Royale (2006), Point Break (2015) and his latest SwissAustrian-German co-production Hidden Reserves (2016). Originally from the small German town of Tübingen, Clemens discovered his passion for acting from a young age, starring in his own fantasy 4
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
stories and eventually performing in school plays. With childhood dreams of attending circus school and joining a monastery to break from performance studies, Clemens’ journey has been anything but usual. Witness one of Germany’s celebrated actors in the drama 4 Kings [see page 12] and sci-fi film Hidden Reserves [see page 41] at the 2016 Fest.
©Joachim Gern
CLEMENS SCHICK
©Bonita Mersiades / Danielle Rizk ©EightFootFelix / Mic Conway
BONITA MERSIADES
DJ MZRIZK
Joining us for the Dirty Games Panel Discussion in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is Bonita Mersiades. As the former head of corporate affairs with Football Federation Australia, she will be sharing her behind the scenes experiences.
Melbourne-based powerhouse DJ MzRizk, will deliver a mix of hip hop, soul and funk tunes at the Melbourne Goodbye Berlin Opening Night After Party on 17 November. Celebrated both in Australia and abroad, she will guarantee a vibrant party atmosphere and a night to remember.
MIC CONWAY
8 FOOT FELIX
In a circus of comedy, music and magic, Mic Conway presents a hilarious array of idiosyncratic songs that will make your jaw drop, toes tap and sides split. Mic and his partner in crime Sean ‘T-Bone‘ Curtis will perform live at the Varieté Closing Night event in Sydney, hitting the perfect note to accompany the spectacular film.
With undertones of gypsy, ska and funk in a whimsical mix of sea shanties, hip-hop and the blues, the multi-genre band 8 Foot Felix, with front man Will Tait (The Kurts), will present their eccentric dance music at the Varieté Closing Night event in Melbourne and will leave you eager for more.
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE GUESTS AND UPDATES 5
OUR FILM CRITICS MARGARET POMERANZ
PAUL BYRNES
Margaret Pomeranz AM presented The Movie Show on SBS and At The Movies with David Stratton from 1986 to 2014. She has been a producer and executive producer of a number of television series including Front Up and Subsonics, and has presented at the AFI and Inside Film Awards. She has been president of the Film Critics Circle of Australia and Watch on Censorship. She is currently presenting films, as well as the review program Stage & Screen on Foxtel.
Paul Byrnes has been a film critic for The Sydney Morning Herald for more than 20 years. He was director of the Sydney Film Festival for ten years, and has programmed exhibitions of Australian cinema for venues in Berlin and New York. In September 2007, he was awarded the Geraldine Pascall prize for critical writing, the highest award in the Australian media for critics in any genre. Paul’s film blog: filmbyrnes.com
ORIGINAL BLISS [see page 24]
24 WEEKS [see page 13]
A stunningly performed, beautifully directed film about a decision none of us would want to have to make. SYDNEY MELBOURNE
6
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
A. L. Kennedy’s 1997 short story of a woman adrift between her loss of faith and an abusive husband becomes an engrossing, mysterious, profoundly moving film in the hands of director Sven Taddicken, with a superb performance from Martina Gedeck. SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
RICHARD KUIPERS
PETER KRAUSZ
Richard Kuipers is a film critic, documentary filmmaker and film festival programmer. He has served as a critic for the international trade paper Variety since 2004. His documentary productions include Stone Forever (1999) and The Cambodian Space Project — Not Easy Rock’n’Roll (2015). Richard is programmer of Sydney Film Festival’s Freak Me Out sidebar and has been advisor to the GoetheInstitut’s Festival of German Films in Australia since 2004.
Peter Krausz is a film critic, film journalist, radio broadcaster (Movie Metropolis, a weekly three hour film show on Saturdays in Melbourne on 99.3 FM), film festival consultant and Q&A host. As a guest of the GoetheInstitut, he attended the 2007, 2011 and 2016 Munich Film Festivals, and has represented Australia on a FIPRESCI jury at the Adelaide Film Festival. He is the former Chair of the Australian Film Critics Association, and contributes regular film articles to various magazines.
DER NACHTMAHR
IN LOVE WITH LOU — A PHILOSOPHER’S LIFE
[see page 21]
[see page 17]
Berlin’s rave culture is the setting for a stunning combination of coming-of-age drama and monster movie. SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
The extraordinary story of a gifted woman in the early 20th century seeking both liberation and intimacy, involving encounters with Rilke, Nietzsche and Freud. SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA 7
SPECIAL EVENTS SWISS SOIRÉE
SYDNEY
THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER
MELBOURNE
Take the night off and join us for an evening of Swiss delight! Teamed with the Swiss Consulate, we are delighted to spoil you once again at our famed Swiss Soirée. With a range of delectable specialities to please your palate and a screening of the classic Heidi, you’ll be left wondering whether you’re in the land of the Alps itself.
SYDNEY
TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER
MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER
As one of the most controversial and obsessive filmmakers in German history, Rainer Werner Fassbinder has become a key figure in the New German Cinema and an international legend. As a tribute, we have dedicated an evening featuring Annekatrin Hendel’s Fassbinder, followed by Ali: Fear Eats The Soul, one of Fassbinder’s most influential works.
CLUB NIGHT
©RWFF
RAINER WERNER FASSBINDER SPECIAL
©colourbox
TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER
SYDNEY
FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER
MELBOURNE
Germany’s vibrant underground party scene is the setting for an electrifying film night. The evening kicks off with As We Were Dreaming, a film brimming with anarchy and drugs as much as brotherhood and friendship, followed by the much-celebrated horror-meets-clubbing spectacle Der Nachtmahr. Pumped? So are we! 8
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
©colourbox
FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER
PUNK ‘N POLITICS
SYDNEY
SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER
MELBOURNE
©colourbox
SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER
Emerging in Western countries during the 1970s, punk subculture can today be found in the most unlikely places. The documentary My Buddha Is Punk looks at a group of young idealists in Myanmar who combine punk and Buddhist philosophies in the most astonishing ways. Watch, witness and discuss teenage rebellion, positive idealism, religion, and post-colonialism.
DIRTY GAMES PANEL DISCUSSION
BRISBANE
TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER
SYDNEY
MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER
MELBOURNE
©W-film
TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER Ever wondered what goes on behind the international world of sports? Join us for a night of exploration and dialogue, starting with a screening of the documentary Dirty Games. To follow, we present a panel discussion, featuring Bonita Mersiades [see page 5] and other experts from the sporting field.
CLOSING NIGHT VARIETÉ
SYDNEY
TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER
MELBOURNE
©Murnau Stiftung
WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER
Travel back in time to 1925 in an evening filled with live music, circus performances and a screening of the classic Varieté. Join us for the party as we wrap up the 2016 Film Fest with a big bang!
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE EVENTS AND UPDATES 9
4 Kings 24 Weeks A Heavy Heart After Spring Comes Fall As We Were Dreaming Der Nachtmahr Every Thing Will Be Fine Fukushima, Mon Amour
Germany In A Day Dirty Games Fassbinder My Buddha Is Punk Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot
Heidi Hidden Reserves Superworld
Conditions/Ticket Prices Classifications
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
30 31 32 33 34
40 41 42
47
Goodbye Berlin Her Composition In Love With Lou — A Philosopher’s Life Looping Me And Kaminski Original Bliss Summers Downstairs The Most Beautiful Day Toni Erdmann
28 20
Emerald Green Hördur The Diary Of Anne Frank Windstorm Winnetou’s Son
35 36 37 38 39
Ali: Fear Eats The Soul The Murderers Are Among Us Divided Heaven The Legend Of Paul And Paula Coming Out Varieté
43 44 44 45 45 46
Sydney Melbourne Canberra Brisbane
50 52 55 55
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
11
4 KINGS Christmas — a feast of love, harmony and contemplation. For four teenagers from Hamburg, Christmas Eve takes a completely different turn. Looking to escape, Alex lands in an adolescent psychiatric emergency unit where she meets Lara, Fedja and Timo. Under the care of the unorthodox Dr. Wolff (Clemens Schick), the emotionally troubled teens learn to live with each other, as they experience their most vulnerable and at times hilarious moments. In Theresa von Eltz’s award-winning feature film debut, ‘European Shooting Stars’ Jella Haase and Jannis Niewöhner (Emerald Green 2016), along with Paula Beer (Frantz 2016) represent Germany’s next generation of acting talents. This moving film provokes the viewer to reflect on family and family gatherings that we tend to push aside in our busy lives. Hannelore Heider, Deutschlandradio Kultur 12
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4 KÖNIGE DRAMA 2015 | 103 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Theresa von Eltz CAST
Jella Haase Paula Beer Jannis Niewöhner Moritz Leu Clemens Schick
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE
24 WEEKS A couple’s joy at expecting their second child turns to anguish in this hard-hitting drama. Six months into her pregnancy, a routine check-up reveals to Astrid (Julia Jentsch) and her husband Markus a 98% chance that their unborn child will have Downs Syndrome. Director Anne Zohra Berrached unflinchingly explores the moral dilemma and the agonising decision which awaits her powerful protagonist — how does one decide whether a life is worth living? Berrached’s most recent works have cemented her status as an up-and-coming director and demonstrated her insightful explorations of female characters. Jentsch’s performance is as convincing as her acclaimed appearance in the drama Sophie Scholl — The Final Days. A brave, important, emotionally charged drama from Germany. A Berlinale highlight featuring a stand-out performance by home-grown actress Julia Jentsch. Paul Heath, The Hollywood News
24 WOCHEN DRAMA 2016 | 102 MIN | 18+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Anne Zohra Berrached CAST
Julia Jentsch Bjarne Mädel Johanna Gastdorf Emilia Pieske Maria-Victoria Dragus
[IN COMPETITION]
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
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A HEAVY HEART Former East German boxing champ Herbert (Peter Kurth) has not been a winner in life since the reunification of Germany. Being diagnosed with a fatal neurological disease, he is no longer able to avoid asking what is essential to him. Realising that time is limited, Herbert’s last wish is to make amends with Sandra, the daughter he abandoned as a child (Lena Lauzemis). Will Herbert be able to undo the damage of his past before it is too late? A film loaded with dreams, defeat, victory and heavy hearts. In his first feature film, acclaimed director Thomas Stuber artfully portrays the struggle of a man who is losing control and fighting to get in back. For his powerful performance in this drama, Kurth received the German Film Award for Best Actor.
Fassbinder-style. The Hollywood Reporter 14
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HERBERT DRAMA 2015 | 109 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Thomas Stuber CAST
Peter Kurth Lina Wendel Lena Lauzemis Edin Hasanovic
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
AFTER SPRING COMES FALL With her husband severely injured and her home in Syria within the grasp of militias, Mina — a young Kurdish woman — flees from Syria to Berlin. Despite living as an illegal immigrant, Mina manages to find work but is traced by the Syrian Security Service, who brutally threatens her and forces her to work as an informant. After Spring Comes Fall is an intense and captivating film, highlighting the individual story whilst encapsulating the burning contemporary issue of refugees. Director Daniel Carsenty’s strong interest in the Middle East has been a central theme in many of his productions. After Spring Comes Fall comes as his feature film debut.
A brave, sincere, political and carefully researched story about the dark side of Berlin on the refugee issue: After Spring Comes Fall. Jury of the achtung berlin — new berlin film award
AFTER SPRING COMES FALL THRILLER, DRAMA 2015 | 90 MIN | 18+ GERMAN, ENGLISH, KURDISH AND ARABIC WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Daniel Carsenty CAST
Halima Ilter Tamer Yigit Asad Schwarz Sonja Polligkeit Sami Nasser
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
15
AS WE WERE DREAMING As We Were Dreaming is a thrilling and moving depiction of five young friends, raised in East Germany who grow up in the sudden reality of a reunified country. Forced into this unfamiliar and wide open new world, the group falls into a life of delinquency, brimming with drugs, anarchy and techno music. Throughout their experiences, director Andreas Dresen depicts the unconditional friendship uniting the ‘brothers’ and the childhood dreams they once held strong. Dresen is known for his realistic style, emerging in recent years as one of Germany’s most prominent and significant directors, creating a name for himself particularly with his films Halbe Treppe, winning a Silver Bear at the 2002 Berlinale, and Halt auf freier Strecke (2011), which won the German Film Award across four categories.
As We Were Dreaming would enrich every world film festival. It is world-class cinema. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 16
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
ALS WIR TRÄUMTEN DRAMA 2015 | 117 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Andreas Dresen CAST
Merlin Rose Julius Nitschkoff Joel Basman Marcel Heuperman
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
DER NACHTMAHR After a massive rave one night, Tina’s ordinary life takes a terrifying turn. She becomes haunted by a grotesque creature, which seems to only be visible to her. With her mental state in question, Tina’s parents send her to see a psychiatrist, but the horror persists. As the line between reality and imagination begins to blur, Tina tears further away from the teenage life of her past. What is real and what is in her mind? This film will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew… After over 10 years in the making and with a minimalist budget, director and visual artist AKIZ unleashes the horror movie of your dreams (or your nightmares) with his latest feature hit.
Der Nachtmahr is an exceptionally well-executed and fine-looking first film, intelligently constructed, beautifully shot in short, mostly dark takes, and underpinned by a fast-beating soundtrack. Carmen Gray, FIPRESCI
DER NACHTMAHR MYSTERY, THRILLER 2015 | 92 MIN | 18+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Achim Bornhak (aka AKIZ) CAST
Carolyn Genzkow Sina Tkotsch Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht Arnd Klawitter FESTIVALS
Toronto International Film Festival Locarno Film Fest
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
17
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE Based on an original script by Norwegian Bjørn Olaf Johannessen, Every Thing Will Be Fine tells the story of writer Tomas, who one day has a horrific and life-changing experience. The gripping drama beautifully portrays the raw emotions of the characters, underlined by a unique and seamless music score from Oscar winner and worldwide renowned composer Alexandre Desplat. This film comes seven years after director Wim Wenders’ last full-length dramatic feature, bringing with it a star-studded international cast of the likes of James Franco, Rachel McAdams and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Wim Wenders finally presents another feature film at the Berlinale. And what a film! The drama captivates the viewer through its use of 3D and a great performance by James Franco. Hannah Pilarczyk, Spiegel Online 18
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE DRAMA 2015 | 118 MIN | 15+ ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM
DIRECTOR
Wim Wenders CAST
James Franco Rachel McAdams Charlotte Gainsbourg Peter Stormare MUSIC
Alexandre Desplat
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR Hoping to distract herself from heartbreak at home, young German Marie escapes to Fukushima with the intention of changing her life. She joins a charity circus group, hoping to cheer up the elderly refugees of the 2011 nuclear disaster. Faced with harsh culture shock and her own insecurities, Marie realises that she is clearly not cut out for the mission. But instead of escaping once more, Marie decides to stay with Satomi, Fukushima’s last Geisha, played by Kaori Momoi. In this beautifully shot black-and-white drama, Doris Dörrie is drawn once again to Japan, a country she has repeatedly visited since the beginning of her career.
Fukushima, Mon Amour offers a refreshingly quirky perspective on a heavy subject suggesting that sometimes audiences, and perhaps even victims, need a vacation from misery and pity. Maggie Lee, Variety
GRÜSSE AUS FUKUSHIMA DRAMA 2016 | 104 MIN | 15+ ENGLISH, GERMAN AND JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES DIRECTOR
Doris Dörrie CAST
Rosalie Thomass Kaori Momoi Moshe Cohen Naomi Kamata Aya Irizuki
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE
19
HER COMPOSITION Unable to fund her academic goals and struggling to develop her graduation composition, music student Malorie starts work as a high-end escort. Awkward at first, Malorie soon finds inspiration in her regular intimate encounters and uses the experiences to create her new composition, turning her clients into sexual muses. But as she dives into a frenzied creative and sensual journey, Malorie’s path to selfdiscovery becomes threatened by her developing self-destruction. In his feature film debut, director Stephan Littger explores the concepts of female empowerment, sexuality and feminism, rejecting pre-defined ideas of gender roles in order to ‘turn the tables on the men’.
This is absolutely a thinking film, but a bizarrely beautiful and entertaining one as well. Jessi Cape, Austin Film Festival 20
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
HER COMPOSITION DRAMA 2015 | 93 MIN | 18+ ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM
DIRECTOR
Stephan Littger CAST
Joselyn Jensen Christian Campbell Margot Bingham
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
IN LOVE WITH LOU — A PHILOSOPHER’S LIFE Rebel, philosopher, femme fatale and psychoanalyst: Lou Andreas-Salomé had many faces and fascinated the masterminds of her age. Aiming for a life of intellect and free-spiritedness, Lou came across visionaries who inspired her and whom she influenced in return. She vowed never to marry and consistently pushed the boundaries of her time, living illegally as an unwed woman with philosopher Paul Rée and rejecting proposals, including from Nietzsche. It is only when she meets writer Rainer Maria Rilke that Lou falls in love, setting off a spiral of events leading to one of the most crucial points in her life: meeting Sigmund Freud. Taking her under his wing, Freud eventually leads Lou to become one of the first female psychoanalysts.
In Love With Lou — paying homage to a powerful woman. WELT.de
LOU ANDREASSALOMÉ DRAMA, ROMANCE 2016 | 113 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Cordula Kablitz-Post CAST
Katharina Lorenz Alexander Scheer Nicole Heesters Matthias Lier Katharina Schüttler
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
21
LOOPING Three women, three different stories, one room in a psychiatric clinic. Leila (Jella Haase) is part of the trio. She is 19 and feels disconnected from her close environment and from society at large. Having grown up in a carnival, Leila’s cheerful and colourful surroundings contrasted with her inner feelings. After a confused and chaotic night ending in the emergency ward, Leila admits herself into the psychiatric clinic. There she meets Frenja and Ann, and a relationship between the three unfolds. Having studied photography before becoming a director, Leonie Krippendorf focusses on the aesthetics of images rather than dialogues to tell this touching story.
The drama Looping captivates us not only through its magical images but also with the performance of the three main actors. Berlin Online 22
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
LOOPING DRAMA 2016 | 106 MIN | 18+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Leonie Krippendorf CAST
Jella Haase Lena Cooper Marie-Lou Sellem
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
ME AND KAMINSKI Unscrupulous journalist Sebastian Zöllner is planning the next big step in his career: a biography of the once-famous ‘blind artist’ Manuel Kaminski. He has no qualms about intruding into the aging painter’s home, life and past, unceremoniously taking him on a journey to reunite him with a lost lover. A hugely entertaining film starring Daniel Brühl as the protagonist, Jesper Christensen as the elusive Kaminski, and a delightful addition of Geraldine Chaplin as Kaminski’s teenage sweetheart. Following the success of Good Bye, Lenin! (2003), the dream team Wolfgang Becker and Daniel Brühl reunite after over a decade to adapt this hilarious novel by the acclaimed author Daniel Kehlmann.
Yes, this is a German comedy, and a brilliant one at that. Eduardo Karas, Just Geeky Stuff
ICH UND KAMINSKI TRAGICOMEDY 2015 | 124 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Wolfgang Becker CAST
Daniel Brühl Jesper Christensen Amira Casar Jördis Triebel Geraldine Chaplin
SYDNEY MELBOURNE CANBERRA
23
ORIGINAL BLISS Loss of faith, domestic violence, psychological turmoil and pornography would not ordinarily make for a romantic drama, but Sven Taddicken’s Original Bliss proves to surprise along every corner. Trapped in a prison-like marriage and crumbling from her incessant insomnia, Helene seeks professional help from renowned psychologist Eduard Gluck and the two develop an unlikely attraction. The psychological drama is adapted from Scottish writer A. L. Kennedy’s 1997 novella, with outstanding performances from Martina Gedeck and Ulrich Tukur (both The Lives of Others 2006). Taddicken returns with another gripping feature, after Emma’s Bliss (2006). An elegantly disquieting investigation into the interrelation of faith, violence and sexual degradation, held together by a rivetingly sure-footed performance by German star Martina Gedeck. Jessica Kiang, Variety 24
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
GLEISSENDES GLÜCK DRAMA 2016 | 102 MIN | 18+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Sven Taddicken CAST
Martina Gedeck Ulrich Tukur Johannes Krisch
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS Easy-going Matthias moves into his rich family’s holiday house with his girlfriend Camille and her son. Unfortunately, his plan to spend some time together is ruined when his alpha-male brother David and his wife Lena turn up at the house for their holiday a week earlier than planned. Immediately, David takes over with his typical air of superiority. Disapproving of David’s imposing behaviour and impatient with Matthias’ unwillingness to address the situation, Camille takes matters into her own hands with surprising results. Director Tom Sommerlatte’s debut feature film demonstrates his cinematic flair, presenting a hilarious script and a fantastic cast.
IM SOMMER WOHNT ER UNTEN COMEDY, DRAMA 2015 | 100 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Tom Sommerlatte CAST
Sebastian Fräsdorf Alice Pehlivanyan Godehard Giese Karin Hanczewski William Peiro FESTIVALS
Opening Film of the Perspective Deutsches Kino
A funny mix of comedy and pool thriller. Throughout there is the feeling that anytime a lifeless body could be found floating in the water. Kathleen Hildebrand, Süddeutsche Zeitung
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
25
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY Quirky pianist Andi and easy-going Benno are both diagnosed with terminal illnesses with their last days just around the corner. They decide to ditch the hospice in search of their best day yet. Scamming whatever cash they need, the pair embarks on the trip of a lifetime — heading first-class direct to Africa! Incorporating stunning landscape, actor and director Florian David Fitz tells the hilarious story of two young men who have nothing to lose as they escape the reality of their lives to experience their most beautiful day. After Der Nanny (2015) and Der Schlussmacher (2013), The Most Beautiful Day is yet another box office hit, starring Florian David Fitz and Matthias Schweighöfer in the leading roles. A skillfully-made film, which allows the viewer to laugh and cry at the same time; a film that reminds us that every day could be the most beautiful day of your life. Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung 26
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
DER GEILSTE TAG COMEDY, DRAMA 2016 | 113 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Florian David Fitz CAST
Matthias Schweighöfer Florian David Fitz Rainer Bock Alexandra Maria Lara
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
TONI ERDMANN Ines, a career-driven corporate strategist living in Bucharest, is content with her structured lifestyle. But her routine is challenged when her dad Winfried decides to pay her a surprise visit. After only a few days, Ines finds herself overburdened by her father’s eccentric character. Having hit gridlock after unsuccessful attempts to bond, Winfried reintroduces himself as Toni Erdmann. Can his alter ego accomplish his mission to reconnect with Ines? Following her successful films The Forest for the Trees (2003) and Everyone Else (2009), director Maren Ade’s comedy earned the Critic’s Award at Cannes and is the German entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. The charm and genius of this film is in what you don’t see coming. It would be easy to pigeonhole this as just one of the greatest German film comedies, but it’s more than that. Sight and Sound
TONI ERDMANN COMEDY, DRAMA 2016 | 162 MIN | M GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES DIRECTOR
Maren Ade CAST
Peter Simonischek Sandra Hüller Michael Wittenborn AWARDS
FIPRESCI Film Award 2016 (Best Film)
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
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GOODBYE BERLIN Summer. A stolen car. With nothing less than the whole world to discover. Director Fatih Akin tells the story of two outsiders who take a life changing road trip together: Tschick, a teenager from a poor district of Berlin who is born to Russian immigrants, and emotionally neglected Maik, from an upper middle class family. While his mother is in rehab and his father away on a ‘business trip’ with his assistant, Maik is left to spend his summer holidays at his parent’s villa, bored and alone. When Tschick turns up with a stolen car, the two unlikely friends experience a road trip that ends up taking them on a journey into adulthood. In this adaptation of Wolfgang Herrndorf’s best seller, Fatih Akin taps into our ‘inner teenager’. In a wonderfully old-fashioned and truthful way he tells a story of freedom and a summer of adventure. Anke Sterneborg, epd Film 28
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
TSCHICK DRAMA, ROAD MOVIE 2016 | 96 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Fatih Akin CAST
Anand Batbileg Tristan Göbel Nicole Mercedes Müller
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
SEEN THE MOVIE? BUY THE BOOK! Copies of the book, in both German and English, will be available for purchase at the Opening Nights. Language International Bookshop 13–15 Station Street, Kew East Phone: (03) 9857 0030 Email: info@languageint.com.au Monday to Friday 9am–5pm Saturday 10am–4pm www.languageint.com.au
© Commons Wikipedia / Mathias Bothor
WOLFGANG HERRNDORF Wolfgang Herrndorf was declared to be the ‘Doyen of Pop Literature’ and was awarded numerous prizes for his bestseller Tschick. The book sold over 2 million copies, was translated into more than 10 languages and is compulsory reading at German schools. In 2010, Herrndorf was diagnosed with brain cancer, tragically ending his own life three years later at the age of 48.
FATIH AKIN Considered one of the most successful directors in contemporary Germany, Fatih Akin grew in international acclaim through his films Head On (2004) and Soul Kitchen (2009). Drawing on aspects of his own German-Turkish background, Akin has often focused on themes such as cultural diversity and social integration, earning him countless awards and the Federal Cross of Merit in 2010. 29
GERMANY IN A DAY Germany In A Day is a film project by Sönke Wortmann, who invited all the residents of Germany to film themselves and their everyday life on 20 June, 2015. They were asked to answer questions like ‘What makes you happy?’, ‘What are you afraid of?’ and ‘What does Germany mean to you?’ in order to create a self-portrait of the country. Ranging from just a few seconds to 24 hours, 10,000 films were submitted, which Wortmann edited into a colourful and contemporary depiction. After box office hits like The Miracle of Bern (2003) and Deutschland. Ein Sommermärchen (2006), Wortmann is back with a portrait of Germany made by Germany.
The film illustrates how multifaceted and welcoming life in Germany is on a summer’s day. Andrea Burtz, WDR 2 Kino 30
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
DEUTSCHLAND. DEIN SELBSTPORTRÄT FILM PROJECT 2016 | 99 MIN | ALL AGES ACCOMPANIED GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Sönke Wortmannn
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
DIRTY GAMES What motives lie behind the corruption in the global sports arena? Dirty Games produces a detailed exploration into the fraud, deceit and exploitation tangled in the foundations of the international sporting industry. Director Benjamin Best provides behind-the-scenes perspectives and a thorough insight into the colourful functioning of the sports system. The multi-award winning documentary voices personal stories from all corners of the globe, including ‘whistleblower’ and former head of corporate affairs for Australia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup bid team Bonita Mersiades. Awarded 2011 CNN Journalist of the Year, Best’s feature film debut has won a range of prestigious awards, including Best Documentary at the 2016 Snowdance Independent Film Festival. A well-shot, powerful piece that looks at recent and not-so-recent sports disgraces! South China Morning Post
DIRTY GAMES DOCUMENTARY 2016 | 93 MIN | ALL AGES ACCOMPANIED ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM
DIRECTOR
Benjamin Best
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE
31
FASSBINDER No German director was more provocative, controversial and obsessed with filmmaking than Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Thirty-four years after his death, this documentary sheds a new light on his life by combining autobiographical material, unpublished works and interviews. Annekatrin Hendel draws a genuine portrait of Fassbinder’s ambition, scandalous lifestyle, and transformation of the film industry, broaching taboo themes such as emancipation, sexuality and xenophobia in post-war Germany. Hendel’s documentary work and dedication to depicting the film legend is why she was one of few to be accepted by the Fassbinder Foundation to document his life. For all Fassbinder fans, Ali: Fear Eats The Soul [see page 43] is another must-see. This documentary praises Fassbinder as the genius and guru of German postwar films. Fassbinder is magnificent. Barbara Möller, Die Welt 32
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
FASSBINDER DOCUMENTARY 2015 | 95 MIN | 18+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES DIRECTOR
Annekatrin Hendel FEATURING
Margit Carstensen Irm Hermann Juliane Lorenz Hanna Schygulla Harry Baer Hark Bohm Hubert Gilli Wolf Gremm Günter Rohrbach Fritz Müller-Scherz Volker Schlöndorff Thomas Schühly
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
MY BUDDHA IS PUNK Kyaw Kyaw is a young Burmese punk whose dream is to develop the punk scene in Myanmar. Despite the many democratic reforms, Kyaw Kyaw is convinced that remnants of the former military dictatorship continue to plague his country. Through his band’s music and participation in public demonstrations, Kyaw Kyaw expresses his severe condemnation of the ongoing violation of human rights and insufficient action against one of the world’s longest running civil wars. Along with the other members of his band, he travels across the country to try and raise awareness about these issues and promote his own philosophy, combining traditional Buddhism with his punk core and rejecting religious or political dogma.
My Buddha Is Punk is the fascinating portrait of a rebellious youth culture in the midst of a restrictive, conservative and deeply religious society. achtung berlin — new berlin film award
MY BUDDHA IS PUNK DOCUMENTARY 2015 | 68 MIN | 15+ BURMESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Andreas Hartmann
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
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NOWITZKI: THE PERFECT SHOT The film tells the story of the unique relationship between German NBA superstar Nowitzki and his coach and mentor Holger Geschwinder. It details Nowitzki’s journey from being a skinny teenager to one of the greatest stars, playing in what the pair had only dreamt of: the NBA Championship. Alongside exclusive and original footage, the film features interviews with Nowitzki, his family, friends, teammates and sponsors, with particularly notable appearances by Kobe Bryant and former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. Known for his historical television documentaries, Sebastian Dehnhardt presents his second film about the rise to success of sport professionals with this film, following the wellreceived Klitschko (2011).
Great man. Great sport. Great film. ZDF heute journal 34
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
NOWITZKI: DER PERFEKTE WURF DOCUMENTARY 2014 | 105 MIN | ALL ENGLISH AND GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Sebastian Dehnhardt FEATURING
Dirk Nowitzki Holger Geschwinder
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
EMERALD GREEN Gwendolyn is heartbroken when she discovers Gideon’s betrayal. Were all of his confessions of love just lies to fool their greatest enemy, the Count of Saint Germain? Convinced of his deceit and torn between her love and bitter disappointment, the young time-traveller’s world is hit hard once again, when she and Gideon are faced with a new challenge and must embark on a quest into the past. Glittering feasts, breathtaking pursuits and dubious figures await the pair on their journey in the suspenseful showdown of the film adaptation of Kerstin Gier’s popular fantasy series Gemstone Trilogy, following Ruby Red (2013) and Sapphire Blue (2014).
This timelessly good German fantasy film, with its compelling balance of action, humour and romance, will delight not just fans of the series. Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung
SMARAGDGRÜN FANTASY 2016 | 112 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTORS
Felix Fuchssteiner Katharina Schöde CAST
Maria Ehrich Jannis Niewöhner Peter Simonischeck Laura Berlin Josefine Preuß
SYDNEY MELBOURNE CANBERRA
35
HÖRDUR Following the death of her mother, German-Turkish teenager Aylin spends her time looking after her little brother while her father struggles to keep the family afloat. After another bout of bullying at school, Aylin responds violently and lands herself in trouble with the law. The community service she is given at a horse stable is her last chance. Initially still fraught with anger, Aylin gains confidence after she meets the wild Icelandic stallion Hördur, setting her on a path to self-discovery. But as she discovers her hidden passion, Aylin is disheartened by her father’s cultural disapproval. Can she build a bridge between both worlds? After studying in Potsdam, Berlin and New York, Turkish-German newcomer Ekrem Ergün makes his debut with this feature drama that won seven international awards. A film worth seeing about friendship and integration. Programmkino.de 36
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
HÖRDUR — ZWISCHEN DEN WELTEN FAMILY, DRAMA 2015 | 80 MIN | 15+ GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Ekrem Ergün CAST
Almila Bagriacik Hilmi Sözer Felicitas Woll
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
DAS TAGEBUCH DER ANNE FRANK
As one of the most important documents of the country’s recent history, there has surprisingly never been a German version of The Diary Of Anne Frank for the big screen — until now. The film tells the true story of a Jewish girl, who went into hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam. Faithfully depicting the original diary, award-winning director Hans Steinbichler creates a detailed picture of Anne’s life and showing through her insights and expressions that she was not so different to any other teenage girl. Keen to portray a German perspective, Steinbichler distinguishes his adaptation by providing us with a ‘new approach for a new generation’, Steinbichler flawlessly distinguishes his own adaptation of the story from those in the past.
DRAMA, HISTORY 2016 | 128 MIN ALL AGES ACCOMPANIED
The only way to understand the story of Anne Frank better would be to read her diary. Bernd Dörries, Süddeutsche Zeitung
GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES DIRECTOR
Hans Steinbichler CAST
Lea van Acken Martina Gedeck Ulrich Noethen Stella Kunkat Margarita Broich
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE
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WINDSTORM Rebellious teen Mika is sent away to the horse riding school of her estranged grandmother for the summer. Unwilling to spend her entire holidays stuck indoors, Mika decides to explore the stables, where she finds Windstorm, a ferocious and terrifying stallion hidden away in the darkest of corners. Immediately drawn to the untamed beast, she connects to him on a level no one before has ever managed. As the unlikely bond develops and through encouragement from her grandmother, Mika begins to ride, discovering her true passion. But will Mika manage the unmanageable and tame Windstorm? Fondly referring to her childhood self as a real-life Pippi Longstocking, Katja von Garnier brings her memories growing up surrounded by horses in a small German town into this authentic masterpiece. A must-see for young horse lovers! Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung 38
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
OSTWIND FAMILY 2013 | 105 MIN | ALL GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Katja von Garnier CAST
JĂźrgen Vogel Hanna Binke Marvin Linke Cornelia Froboess
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
WINNETOU’S SON Blond and bespectacled, Max doesn’t quite resemble the Native Americans of the Wild West who he greatly admires, but that doesn’t stop him imitating his heroes. When away at a Native American themed camp, Max discovers that a part in the Karl May Festival has suddenly opened up: the son of Winnetou, the Apache protagonist in May’s famed adventure novels. With the help of his new friend Mortem, Max puts his passion into action to defy the odds and land his dream role. Graduating with his multi-award winning short film 37 Ohne Zwiebeln (2006), director André Erkau has continued to awe the audience with features such as Life is not for Cowards (2012) and Come In and Burn Out (2008). Winnetou’s Son is no exception. This film is about courage, persistence and friendship. It’s a very happy film. Douglas Parkes, Time Out Hong Kong
WINNETOUS SOHN FAMILY, ADVENTURE 2015 | 92 MIN | ALL GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
André Erkau CAST
Lorenzo Germeno Tristan Göbel Uwe Ochsenknecht Armin Rohde
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
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HEIDI A hit with audiences and critics, this new adaptation puts the mud back into the Alpine pastures of Johanna Spyri’s classic novel. Our heroine Heidi is sent to live with her cantankerous grandfather in the mountains of Switzerland, only to have her world turn upside-down once more, when she is dispatched to Frankfurt by her aunt. Telling Heidi’s story, director Alain Gsponer allows us to see the hardships of nineteenth-century life, whilst simultaneously experiencing the fresh air and magical landscape of the Swiss mountains. Heidi is Gsponser’s second adaptation of the classic, following his 1998 satirical animation based on the same story. It earned him his first award, the German Film Award in the category Best Children’s Feature. A brilliant new version by director Alain Gsponer which does more than just confirm the fact that the Heidi story is still universally captivating in the 21st century. Becky Tan, Kino Critics 40
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
HEIDI FAMILY 2015 | 110 MIN | ALL SWISS + GERMAN CO-PRODUCTION SWISS GERMAN AND GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Alain Gsponer CAST
Jella Haase Bruno Ganz Anuk Steffen Peter Lohmeyer Hannelore Hoger
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
HIDDEN RESERVES Vincent Baumann (Clemens Schick), a ruthless insurance salesman, is part of the merciless system in control of Vienna, where the privileged are favoured and the masses are discarded. When he suddenly is demoted, Vincent fights hard, unwilling to accept that he has become a victim of the very corporations he so ferociously represented. But in the process, he discovers an alternative — resistance. Coming 13 years after his feature debut Kaltfront (2003), director Valentin Hitz paints a haunting yet visually striking picture of what possibly lies before us in this dystopian science fiction film, made complete with a thrilling portrayal by one of our very own festival guests Clemens Schick. Valentin Hitz offers up a satiric, dystopian view of the future in his coldly precise scifi film Hidden Reserves. ScreenAnarchy
STILLE RESERVEN SCIENCE-FICTION 2016 | 96 MIN | 15+ AUSTRIAN, GERMAN + SWISS CO-PRODUCTION GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Valentin Hitz CAST
Clemens Schick Lena Lauzemis Marion Mitterhammer Marcus Signer Stipe Erceg
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
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SUPERWORLD Working at the supermarket, cooking for her family, and doing the chores: that’s the everyday life of middle-aged Gabi Kovanda. One day when Gabi comes home, something happens that interrupts her daily grind in a single moment. There’s suddenly something new in her life that is not visible and exists only in her head, something she interprets as God. Struggling with the empty routines of her neglected existence and looking for answers from the voices consuming her, she is faced with the possibility that the search for happiness might be a never-ending one. Karl Markovics worked as an actor before he debuted as a director and screenwriter in 2011 with his film Atmen. Superworld is his second feature.
Superworld is a delightfully playful mix of dry humor, visual splendor and everyday magic. Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter 42
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
SUPERWELT DRAMA 2015 | 120 MIN | 15+ AUSTRIAN PRODUCTION GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DIRECTOR
Karl Markovics CAST
Ulrike Beimpold Nikolai Gemel Simon Jaritz Thomas Mraz Angelika Strasher
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL Ali: Fear Eats The Soul follows young Moroccan migrant worker Ali and 60-year-old German widow Emmi as they fall in love. Their relationship, however, is rejected by Emmi’s family, neighbours and colleagues, who criticise her for marrying a foreigner. In addition to the prejudices they face from their conservative society, the couple must also deal with the stark difference between their expectations and the reality of their relationship. For those fascinated by Fassbinder, don’t miss the outstanding documentary Fassbinder [see page 32] also part of this year’s festival.
As with all Fassbinder’s films, Ali: Fear Eats The Soul refuses to offer easy answers, preferring its audience to dwell on the gnawing dread that Emmi and Ali must endure: this is filmmaking at its rawest. Christopher Machell, CineVue
ANGST ESSEN SEELE AUF DRAMA, ROMANCE 1974 | 93 MIN | 18+ BLACK AND WHITE GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES DIRECTOR
Rainer Werner Fassbinder CAST
Brigitte Mira El Hedi ben Salem Irmgard Hermann Rainer Werner Fassbinder Barbara Valentin AWARDS
FIPRESCI Prize (Cannes Film Festival 1974)
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
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THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US
DIE MÖRDER SIND UNTER UNS GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DRAMA | 1946 | 87 MIN | M
Berlin 1945. Concentration camp survivor Susanne Wallner returns home to discover it occupied by Dr Mertens, a former military surgeon who spends his days drinking. Dr Mertens’ life takes a menacing turn when he learns that his murderous Nazi captain is still alive. In East Germany’s first film, former Nazi-director Wolfgang Staudte sets the tone for the post-war discussion about German guilt and atonement. DIRECTOR CAST
Wolfgang Staudte
Hildegard Knef Ernst Wilhelm Borchert Robert Forsch Wolfgang Dohnberg
DIVIDED HEAVEN
DER GETEILTE HIMMEL
GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DRAMA | 1964 | 116 MIN ALL AGES ACCOMPANIED
What does a divided heaven look like? Rita gets an idea of it when her boyfriend Manfred decides to leave the GDR. Attempting to follow him, Rita realises that the two now live in different worlds. Adapted from Christa Wolf’s novel of the same name, Divided Heaven is one of the 100 most important German films. DIRECTOR CAST
Konrad Wolf
44
Renate Blume Eberhard Esche Hans Hardt-Hardtloff Hilmar Thate
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
70 Years of DEFA
Celebrating and preserving the films of the former East German film studio
THE LEGEND OF PAUL AND PAULA
DIE LEGENDE VON PAUL UND PAULA
GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DRAMA, ROMANCE | 1973 | 105 MIN | M
A story about the longing for freedom, happiness and self-governance. Separated only by a road yet living entirely different lives, Paul and Paula meet by chance and fall in love. Almost banned by the authorities before its completion for its critical undertone, this touching story ultimately became one of the greatest successes in DEFA history — a KULT film! DIRECTOR CAST
Heiner Carow
Angelica Domröse Winfried Glatzeder Heidemarie Wenzel Fred Delmare
COMING OUT
COMING OUT
GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
DRAMA | 1989 | 112 MIN | 18+ Conflicted by his feelings for his lover and his responsibility towards his pregnant partner, closeted schoolteacher Phillip plunges into a crisis. In the only East German film to discuss homosexuality and depict punk culture, Carow masterfully highlights the harsh reality faced by this community. DIRECTOR CAST
SYDNEY MELBOURNE
Heiner Carow
Mathias Freihof Dagmar Manzel Dirk Kummer Michael Gwisdek
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VARIETÉ Love, lust and jealousy are the main ingredients of E. A. Dupont’s circus fairytale. Former trapeze artist ‘Boss’ Haller (Emil Jannings) leaves his wife and children behind in order to run away with BertaMarie. The beautiful and seductive young dancer, however, begins an affair with artiste Artinelli. Varieté’s timeless fascination is derived from its sophisticated staging as well as the suspense created by the actor’s facial expressions. Originally shot in 1925, the film was restored in 2015, just in time to premiere at the Berlinale. Having lost the original music score, The Tiger Lillies developed a new soundtrack in their own style. Until today, Jannings is the only German to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor. This drama about jealousy is one of the most significant pieces of the Weimar cinema tradition and turned out to be Dupont’s ticket to Hollywood. Kaleidoskop Filmforum Aachen 46
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
VARIETÉ SILENT FILM, DRAMA 1925/2015 | 95 MIN ALL AGES ACCOMPANIED BLACK AND WHITE GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES DIRECTOR
Ewald André Dupont CAST
Emil Jannings Lya de Putti Warwick Ward Maly Delschaft Georg John SCORE
The Tiger Lillies
SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE CANBERRA
TICKETING, GENERAL FESTIVAL CONDITIONS AND CENSORSHIP INFORMATION TICKETS ON SALE NOW BY PHONE Booking fees apply.
IN CINEMAS No booking fees.
ONLINE Online at: www.palacecinemas.com.au Booking fees apply.
SYDNEY 15–29 NOVEMBER CHAUVEL CINEMA Cnr Oxford St & Oatley Rd Paddington (02) 9361 5398 PALACE NORTON STREET 99 Norton Street Leichhardt (02) 9564 5620 MELBOURNE 17–30 NOVEMBER PALACE CINEMA COMO Level 2, Como Centre Cnr Toorak Rd & Chapel St South Yarra (03) 9827 7533 KINO CINEMAS Lower Ground Floor Collins Place 45 Collins Street Melbourne (03) 9650 2100
GENERAL ADMISSION Adult $20.00 Concession* $17.00 Goethe-Institut student/Movie Club Member** $16.00 * Eligible concessions: full-time students (photo ID required), seniors, health care card holders, pensioners. Proof of concession must be presented at the cinema box office and/or upon entry to the auditorium. ** Two discounted tickets per membership card per session will apply.
TICKET PRICES SYDNEY OPENING NIGHT FILM AND AFTER PARTY Goodbye Berlin by Fatih Akin with cocktail reception and after party with DJs and German delicatessen Tuesday 15 November 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening Palace Norton Street General Admission $60.00 Goethe-Institut Student/Movie Club Member/Concession $55.00
MELBOURNE OPENING NIGHT FILM AND AFTER PARTY Goodbye Berlin by Fatih Akin with cocktail reception and after party with DJ MzRizk and delicatessen by Hofbräuhaus Thursday 17 November 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening Palace Cinema Como General Admission $60.00 Goethe-Institut Student/Movie Club Member/Concession $55.00
BRISBANE OPENING NIGHT FILM AND AFTER PARTY Goodbye Berlin by Fatih Akin with cocktail reception and after party Friday 25 November 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening Palace Barracks General Admission $50.00 Goethe-Institut Student/Movie Club Member/Concession $45.00
CANBERRA OPENING NIGHT FILM AND AFTER PARTY
PALACE WESTGARTH 89 High Street Northcote (03) 9482 2001
Goodbye Berlin by Fatih Akin with cocktail reception and after party Thursday 24 November 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening Palace Electric Cinema General Admission $50.00 Goethe-Institut student/Movie Club Member/Concession $45.00
BRISBANE 25–30 NOVEMBER PALACE BARRACKS 61 Petrie Terrace Brisbane (07) 3367 1954
Excluding opening, closing nights and special events General admission Goethe-Institut student/Movie Club Member/Concession Multi-film passes are only available at the box offices.
CANBERRA 24–27 NOVEMBER PALACE ELECTRIC CINEMA 2 Phillip Law Street Canberra (02) 6222 4900
MULTI-FILM PURCHASE 5 FILM PASS $80.00 $70.00
FAMILY FILMS Winnetou’s Son, Hördur, Heidi, Windstorm, The Diary Of Anne Frank, Emerald Green ALL TICKETS
$14.00
GROUP BOOKINGS Groups (20 people or more) per person
$15.00
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SPECIAL EVENTS SYDNEY SWISS SOIRÉE Food, drinks and performances Thursday 17 November 6.30pm for 7.30pm screening Palace Norton Street
CLOSING NIGHT FILM AND PARTY Varieté by E. A. Dupont with cocktail reception and after party with live music and performances Tuesday 29 November 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening Chauvel Cinema General admission $30.00 Goethe-Institut student/Movie Club Member/Concession $27.00
MELBOURNE SWISS SOIRÉE Food, drinks and performances Tuesday 22 November 6.30pm for 7.30pm screening Palace Cinema Como
CLOSING NIGHT FILM AND PARTY Varieté by E. A. Dupont with cocktail reception and after party with live music and performances Wednesday 30 November 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening Palace Cinema Como General admission $30.00 Goethe-Institut student/Movie Club Member/Concession $27.00
SCHOOL GROUP BOOKINGS The special weekday screening of the films Winnetou’s Son, Windstorm, The Diary Of Anne Frank and Emerald Green are available for schools at a discounted price of $12.00 per person (20 students or more), 1 teacher admitted FREE for every 20 students. For school and group bookings, please contact Palace Cinemas by phone or go online.
SYDNEY Group Booking Enquiries:
(02) 9339 0348 or events.nsw@palacecinemas.com.au
MELBOURNE Group Booking Enquiries:
(03) 9816 1777 or events.vic@palacecinemas.com.au
CANBERRA Group Booking Enquiries:
Sam Duke (02) 6222 4908 or events.act@palacecinemas.com.au
BRISBANE Group Booking Enquiries: Charley Greaves 0402 338 525 or charley.greaves@palacecinemas.com.au
Festival films are restricted to persons aged 18 years and over unless specified. Festival tickets, once acquired, are non-refundable and nonexchangeable. Lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced or refunded. 15+ 18+ ALL M
Audience members under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Restricted to audience members over the age of 18. Suitable for everyone. Mature themes, sex scenes and nudity.
Check website for classification and session time updates.
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GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
MINIMAG ISSUED BY Goethe-Institut Australien DIRECTOR Sonja Griegoschewski EDITORS Gabriele Urban Jochen Gutsch PHOTOS Thanks to German Films and all copyright holders TEXT Goethe-Institut Australia Ruchira Kakkad Christina Schröder Sally-Ann Spencer DESIGN Torkos Ploetz Design SPECIAL THANKS TO Dr Anna Elisabeth Prinz Lothar Freischlader Michael Pearce Michael Rosemann Eros Robbiani Manuela Erb Dr Helmut Böck Margret Pomeranz Peter Krausz Richard Kuipers Paul Byrnes Mariette Rissenbeek Bernhard Simek Bonita Mersiades Ulrike Rosenfeld Mirjam-Isabel Herzog The Zeccola family and the local teams at the Palace Cinemas, and all our wonderful interns and volunteers.
Cover Image: GOODBYE BERLIN directed by Fatih Akin ©Lago Film 2016
Make your voice heard and vote for your favourite film online! Only three steps could land you one of our fabulous prizes, such as a RIMOWA suitcase valued at about $1000. Just head on over to our website www.goethe.de/ozfilmfest and click on Vote and Win to choose your favourite film and be a part of our online competition. We would love to hear your opinion on the festival, and look forward to finding out who will take out the 2016 Golden Gnome Audience Award.
Congratulations to the 2015 Golden Gnome Award winners, director Baran bo Odar and his film team of Who Am I — No System is Safe!
SYDNEY 15–29 NOVEMBER
CHAUVEL CINEMA (02) 9361 5398 249 Oxford Street, Paddington [Cnr Oxford Street & Oatley Road]
6.30pm
MY BUDDHA IS PUNK
8.30pm
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR
THURSDAY 17
8.30pm
AS WE WERE DREAMING
FRIDAY 18
11.00am
WINNETOU’S SON
6.30pm
SUPERWORLD
9.00pm
ORIGINAL BLISS
3.45pm
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR
6.00pm
TONI ERDMANN
9.15pm
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE
11.00am
EMERALD GREEN
3.45pm
NOWITZKI: THE PERFECT SHOT
6.00pm
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS
8.15pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
6.30pm
THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US
8.45pm
DIVIDED HEAVEN
6.30pm
FASSBINDER
Intro
9.00pm
ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL
Intro
6.30pm
AS WE WERE DREAMING
8.50pm
HER COMPOSITION
6.30pm
SUPERWORLD
9.00pm
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
6.30pm
AS WE WERE DREAMING
9.00pm
DER NACHTMAHR
3.45pm
GOODBYE BERLIN
6.00pm
4 KINGS
8.45pm
LOOPING
11.00am
EMERALD GREEN
3.45pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
6.00pm
IN LOVE WITH LOU
8.30pm
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS
6.30pm
COMING OUT
8.45pm
THE LEGEND OF PAUL AND PAULA
7.00pm
VARIETÉ 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening
WEDNESDAY 16
SATURDAY 19
SUNDAY 20
MONDAY 21 TUESDAY 22 WEDNESDAY 23
THURSDAY 24 FRIDAY 25 SATURDAY 26
SUNDAY 27
MONDAY 28
TUESDAY 29 50
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
School Screening
Family
After Party Q&A Q&A + Panel Discussion Family
After Party
SYDNEY 15–29 NOVEMBER
PALACE NORTON STREET (02) 9564 5620 99 Norton Street, Leichhardt
TUESDAY 15
7.00pm
GOODBYE BERLIN 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening
WEDNESDAY 16
6.30pm
HER COMPOSITION
THURSDAY 17
11.00am
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
School Screening
7.30pm
HEIDI 6.30pm for 7.30pm screening
Swiss Soirée
6.30pm
A HEAVY HEART
9.00pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
3.45pm
GOODBYE BERLIN
6.00pm
ME AND KAMINSKI
8.45pm
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
11.00am
HEIDI
Family
3.45pm
HÖRDUR
Family
6.00pm
AFTER SPRING COMES FALL
8.00pm
A HEAVY HEART
6.30pm
24 WEEKS
Intro
8.45pm
HIDDEN RESERVES
Q&A
6.30pm
NOWITZKI: THE PERFECT SHOT
8.45pm
HIDDEN RESERVES
6.30pm
24 WEEKS
8.45pm
A HEAVY HEART
6.30pm
ME AND KAMINSKI
9.00pm
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE
6.30pm
GOODBYE BERLIN
8.40pm
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS
11.00am
WINDSTORM
3.30pm
MY BUDDHA IS PUNK
6.00pm
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR
8.15pm
ME AND KAMINSKI
11.00am
HEIDI
3.15pm
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
6.00pm
4 KINGS
8.45pm
LOOPING
6.30pm
DIRTY GAMES
9.00pm
ORIGINAL BLISS
FRIDAY 18 SATURDAY 19
SUNDAY 20
MONDAY 21 TUESDAY 22 WEDNESDAY 23 THURSDAY 24 FRIDAY 25 SATURDAY 26
SUNDAY 27
MONDAY 28
OPENING NIGHT
Q&A
Family Panel Discussion
Family / Q&A Panel Discussion Family Q&A Q&A Panel Discussion
51
MELBOURNE 17–30 NOVEMBER
PALACE CINEMA COMO (03) 9827 7533 Level 2, Como Centre, South Yarra [Cnr Toorak Road & Chapel Street]
THURSDAY 17
7.00pm
GOODBYE BERLIN 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening
FRIDAY 18
6.30pm
SUPERWORLD
9.00pm
ORIGINAL BLISS
11.00am
WINDSTORM
3.45pm
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR
6.00pm
TONI ERDMANN
9.15pm
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE
11.00am
WINNETOU’S SON
3.45pm
NOWITZKI: THE PERFECT SHOT
6.00pm
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS
8.15pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
6.30pm
MURDERERS AMONG US
9.00pm
DIVIDED HEAVEN
TUESDAY 22
7.30pm
HEIDI 6.30pm for 7.30pm screening
WEDNESDAY 23
6.30pm
FASSBINDER
Intro
9.00pm
ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL
Intro
6.30pm
4 KINGS
Q&A
9.15pm
LOOPING
Q&A
6.30pm
AS WE WERE DREAMING
9.00pm
DER NACHTMAHR
11.00am
HEIDI
3.45pm
GOODBYE BERLIN
6.00pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
8.15pm
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
11.00am
HEIDI
6.00pm
IN LOVE WITH LOU
8.30pm
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS
6.30pm
COMING OUT
9.00pm
THE LEGEND OF PAUL AND PAULA
TUESDAY 29
6.30pm
DIRTY GAMES
WEDNESDAY 30
8.15pm
VARIETÉ 7.45pm for 8.15pm screening
SATURDAY 19
SUNDAY 20
MONDAY 21
THURSDAY 24
FRIDAY 25
SATURDAY 26
SUNDAY 27
MONDAY 28
52
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
OPENING NIGHT
Family
Family
Intro Intro Swiss Soirée
After Party Family / Q&A
Family
Intro Intro Panel Discussion After Party
MELBOURNE 17–30 NOVEMBER FRIDAY 18
SATURDAY 19
SUNDAY 20
MONDAY 21
TUESDAY 22
WEDNESDAY 23
THURSDAY 24
KINO CINEMAS (03) 9650 2100
Lower Ground Floor, Collins Place 45 Collins Street, Melbourne
6.30pm
HER COMPOSITION
8.45pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
3.45pm
GOODBYE BERLIN
6.00pm
A HEAVY HEART
8.45pm
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
3.45pm
HÖRDUR
6.00pm
AFTER SPRING COMES FALL
8.00pm
A HEAVY HEART
6.30pm
24 WEEKS
8.45pm
MY BUDDHA IS PUNK
11.00am
WINNETOU’S SON
6.30pm
NOWITZKI: THE PERFECT SHOT
8.45pm
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE
11.00am
WINDSTORM
6.30pm
SUPERWORLD
9.00pm
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS
11.00am
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
6.30pm
A HEAVY HEART
Family
School Screening
School Screening
School Screening
8.45pm
HIDDEN RESERVES
6.30pm
4 KINGS
9.15pm
LOOPING
11.00am
WINDSTORM
6.00pm
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR
8.15pm
ME AND KAMINSKI
11.00am
EMERALD GREEN
Family
3.15pm
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
Family
6.00pm
ME AND KAMINSKI
MONDAY 28
8.30pm
AS WE WERE DREAMING
TUESDAY 29
6.30pm
4 KINGS
8.45pm
A HEAVY HEART
FRIDAY 25
SATURDAY 26
SUNDAY 27
Q&A Q&A Q&A + Panel Discussion Family
53
MELBOURNE 17–30 NOVEMBER
PALACE WESTGARTH (03) 9482 2001 89 High Street, Northcote
FRIDAY 18
6.30pm
A HEAVY HEART
SATURDAY 19
11.00am
WINNETOU’S SON
6.00pm
ME AND KAMINSKI
8.30pm
THE LEGEND OF PAUL AND PAULA
SUNDAY 20
6.00pm
HER COMPOSITION
MONDAY 21
6.30pm
FASSBINDER
8.45pm
SUPERWORLD
TUESDAY 22
8.30pm
AFTER SPRING COMES FALL
WEDNESDAY 23
6.30pm
24 WEEKS
8.30pm
HIDDEN RESERVES
THURSDAY 24
8.30pm
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR
FRIDAY 25
6.30pm
GOODBYE BERLIN
8.45pm
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE
6.00pm
SUMMERS DOWNSTAIRS
8.15pm
MY BUDDHA IS PUNK
3.45pm
NOWITZKI: THE PERFECT SHOT
6.00pm
DER NACHTMAHR
MONDAY 28
8.30pm
ORIGINAL BLISS
TUESDAY 29
8.30pm
4 KINGS
SATURDAY 26
SUNDAY 27
54
GERMAN FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
Family
Q&A
Panel Discussion
CANBERRA 24–27 NOVEMBER
PALACE ELECTRIC CINEMA (02) 6222 4900 2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra
THURSDAY 24
7.00pm
GOODBYE BERLIN 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening
FRIDAY 25
11.00am
EMERALD GREEN
6.30pm
ME AND KAMINSKI
9.15pm
DER NACHTMAHR
11.00am
WINDSTORM
3.30pm
SUPERWORLD
6.00pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
8.15pm
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
11.00am
HEIDI
Family
2.00pm
WINNETOU’S SON
Family
4.00pm
AFTER SPRING COMES FALL
6.00pm
IN LOVE WITH LOU
8.30pm
VARIETÉ
SATURDAY 26
SUNDAY 27
BRISBANE 25–30 NOVEMBER FRIDAY 25
SATURDAY 26
SUNDAY 27
MONDAY 28
TUESDAY 29 WEDNESDAY 30
OPENING NIGHT School Screening
Family
PALACE BARRACKS (07) 3367 1954 61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
11.00am
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
School Screening
1.00pm
WINDSTORM
School Screening
7.00pm
GOODBYE BERLIN 6.30pm for 7.00pm screening
11.00am
WINNETOU’S SON
3.30pm
SUPERWORLD
6.00pm
GERMANY IN A DAY
8.15pm
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
11.00am
HEIDI
1.30pm
HÖRDUR
3.30pm
DIRTY GAMES
6.00pm
IN LOVE WITH LOU
8.30pm
AFTER SPRING COMES FALL
11.00am
WINNETOU’S SON + THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
1.00pm
HEIDI
6.30pm
DER NACHTMAHR
8.45pm
4 KINGS
6.30pm
FUKUSHIMA, MON AMOUR
8.15pm
EVERY THING WILL BE FINE
6.30pm
VARIETÉ
OPENING NIGHT Family
Family Family Panel Discussion
School Screening School Screening / Q&A Q&A
55
18-28 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 phone 03 9663 3361 EMAIL bookings@hofbrauhaus.com.au hofbrauhaus.com.au OPen Monday to sunday 12pm - late
Are you up for it? 737 Bourke Street, DocklandS VIC 3008 phone 03 9642 3350 EMAIL bookings@THEhofDOWNTOWN.com.au THEhofDOWNTOWN.com.au OPen Monday to sunday 12pm - late
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