GERMAN FILM FESTIVAL 2016
This film festival marks its 15th year of celebrating German culture. Avid film festival enthusiasts should be lured by its diverse program of 36 films and gala events including the opening and closing nights.
German language cinema has had an extremely successful year with a combined total of 250 German productions and co-productions. It’s also been an inspiring year for women in front and behind of the cameras, and surprisingly comedies have also fared well at the box office.
“Germans are not well known for comedies as their sense of humour can be rough, offensive and difficult to translate,” explained festival director Sonja Griegoschewski.
“Toni Erdmann is a funny film based on a funny book and was extremely successful at Cannes. This film is also a German Oscar hopeful”.
Moviegoers who enjoy retro classics should be captivated by Ali: Fear Eats The Soul, a romance drama produced in 1974 which surrounds the relationship between a young Moroccan migrant worker and a 60 year-old German widow. “This story of life as an immigrant is still relevant today and is very touching and personal.”
Festival guests participating in Q&A’s are always major drawcards to film festivals and this year Jella Haase, one of Germany’s most promising young actors who stars in three films at the festival (4 Kings, Heidi, and Looping) will be attending.
German born Clemens Schick will also be in attendance, he starred in last years thriller Point Break and appears in 4 Kings and sci-fi film Hidden Reserves.
“By watching some of our films Australian audiences should not only learn that Germans make good films, but they will also get an idea of what’s happening in Germany. International film festivals are all connected. They all showcase human stories with very universal themes, but ours are from a German perspective”. (MMo)
HOT PICKS
A HEAVY HEART – A heart wrenching drama about a dying man who tries to reconnect with his daughter.
24 WEEKS – Upon learning their unborn child has a 98% chance of having Down Syndrome, a couple must make an agonising decision. Hard-hitting and heartfelt.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK – The true story of a girl who documented her experiences whilst in hiding from the Nazis with her family. This is the first German version produced for the big screen.
Nov 15–29. Palace Norton Street & Chauvel Cinema. $20-$80 (5 film pass). Tickets & info: www.palacecinemas.com.au/festivals
