Alfred Herrhausen, born in 1930, was the chairman of Deutsche Bank. But to the team behind German series “Herrhausen – The Banker and the Bomb,” premiering at Series Mania, he was a “visionary.”
“He was a humane banker, always looking into the future. What you see in this show is a person who tries to do something new and others prevent him from doing it. They say: ‘We have never done it before.’ He says: ‘Well, that’s the definition of the word ‘new,’” says actor Oliver Masucci.
The show, written by Thomas Wendrich, premieres the trailer in exclusivity with Variety.
Before taking on Herrhausen, Masucci gained prominence thanks to Netflix’s “Dark.” Next, he will be seen in the BBC and CBS Studios show “King and Conqueror” alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William the Conqueror.
“When we think of bankers now, we think of absolute capitalists. But he kept saying we needed to shift our perspective.
“He was a humane banker, always looking into the future. What you see in this show is a person who tries to do something new and others prevent him from doing it. They say: ‘We have never done it before.’ He says: ‘Well, that’s the definition of the word ‘new,’” says actor Oliver Masucci.
The show, written by Thomas Wendrich, premieres the trailer in exclusivity with Variety.
Before taking on Herrhausen, Masucci gained prominence thanks to Netflix’s “Dark.” Next, he will be seen in the BBC and CBS Studios show “King and Conqueror” alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William the Conqueror.
“When we think of bankers now, we think of absolute capitalists. But he kept saying we needed to shift our perspective.
- 3/19/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The Zurich Film Festival unveiled its gala premiere lineup Thursday, with highlights including many of the fan favorites from the 2023 festival season.
Among the lineup is Todd Haynes’ melodrama May December, starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, the Anne Hathaway/Thomasin McKenzie psychological thriller Eileen from director William Oldroyd and Tran Anh Hung’s foodie French romance film The Pot-Au-Feu. Eileen was a hit out of Sundance, whereas both May December and The Pot-Au-Feu were buzzy titles in Cannes.
All are strong award-season contenders, as is Zurich gala title Nyad, which will have its world premiere in Toronto. The real-life tale of Diana Nyad, a long-distance swimmer who, at 60, becomes obsessed with completing a 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida, stars Annette Bening as Nyad and Jodie Foster as her friend and coach Bonnie Stoll. Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi directed.
Zurich also has three world premieres on its...
Among the lineup is Todd Haynes’ melodrama May December, starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, the Anne Hathaway/Thomasin McKenzie psychological thriller Eileen from director William Oldroyd and Tran Anh Hung’s foodie French romance film The Pot-Au-Feu. Eileen was a hit out of Sundance, whereas both May December and The Pot-Au-Feu were buzzy titles in Cannes.
All are strong award-season contenders, as is Zurich gala title Nyad, which will have its world premiere in Toronto. The real-life tale of Diana Nyad, a long-distance swimmer who, at 60, becomes obsessed with completing a 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida, stars Annette Bening as Nyad and Jodie Foster as her friend and coach Bonnie Stoll. Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi directed.
Zurich also has three world premieres on its...
- 8/17/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: German actor Saralisa Volm makes her directorial debut with mystery thriller The Silent Forest, which is premiering tonight at the Berlin Film Festival in the Perspektive Deutsches section. Here’s an exclusive clip from the film.
The film is based on Wolfram Fleischhauer’s novel The Forest Stands Silent, about a trainee forester who sees parallels between a murder in the Upper Palatine Forest and the unsolved death of her father 20 years earlier. Fleischauer adapted the screenplay. It stars Henriette Confurius (Tribes Of Europa), Noah Saavedra, Robert Stadlober and August Zirner.
It’s produced by Volm’s Poison alongside Ingo Fliess’ if…Productions. Blue Fox is handling international sales for the title, excluding German-speaking Europe, where Arte will release.
The film is based on Wolfram Fleischhauer’s novel The Forest Stands Silent, about a trainee forester who sees parallels between a murder in the Upper Palatine Forest and the unsolved death of her father 20 years earlier. Fleischauer adapted the screenplay. It stars Henriette Confurius (Tribes Of Europa), Noah Saavedra, Robert Stadlober and August Zirner.
It’s produced by Volm’s Poison alongside Ingo Fliess’ if…Productions. Blue Fox is handling international sales for the title, excluding German-speaking Europe, where Arte will release.
- 2/16/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Blue Fox’s US distribution arm plans late 2022 US release.
US sales outfit Blue Fox Entertainment has boarded German actress Saralisa Volm’s feature directorial debut The Silent Forest, a mystery thriller that is premiering in Perspektive Deutsches Kino at the Berlinale.
The Silent Forest is based on Wolfram Fleischhauer’s novel The Forest Stands Silent about a trainee forester who sees parallels between a murder in the Upper Palatine Forest and the unsolved death of her father 20 years earlier. Fleischhauer adapted the screenplay.
Henriette Confurius from the Netflix show Tribes Of Europa stars wth Noah Saavedra, Robert Stadlober and August Zirner.
US sales outfit Blue Fox Entertainment has boarded German actress Saralisa Volm’s feature directorial debut The Silent Forest, a mystery thriller that is premiering in Perspektive Deutsches Kino at the Berlinale.
The Silent Forest is based on Wolfram Fleischhauer’s novel The Forest Stands Silent about a trainee forester who sees parallels between a murder in the Upper Palatine Forest and the unsolved death of her father 20 years earlier. Fleischhauer adapted the screenplay.
Henriette Confurius from the Netflix show Tribes Of Europa stars wth Noah Saavedra, Robert Stadlober and August Zirner.
- 2/11/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Features from Sandra Nettelbeck, Thomas Stuber, Caroline Link and Burhan Qurbani on slate for German outfit.
New features by Sandra Nettelbeck, Thomas Stuber, Burhan Qurbani and Oscar-winner Caroline Link are being lined up by the Ludwigsburg/Berlin-based production company Sommerhaus Filmproduktion, which was launched by producers Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach at the end of last year with Beta Film’s Jan Mojto as partner.
The first project to go into production this year will be the melancholic romantic comedy What Does Not Kill Us (Was Uns Nicht Umbringt) by writer-director Sandra Nettelbeck in August with a cast including August Zirner, Sophie Rois, Christian Berkel, Bjarne Mädel and Jenny Schily.
The German-language film will mark Nettelbeck’s return to filmmaking in Germany after working abroad for more than ten years on films including Helen and Mr. Morgan’s Last Love. It will also link to the director’s internationally successful romantic comedy Mostly Martha (Bella Martha) with...
New features by Sandra Nettelbeck, Thomas Stuber, Burhan Qurbani and Oscar-winner Caroline Link are being lined up by the Ludwigsburg/Berlin-based production company Sommerhaus Filmproduktion, which was launched by producers Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach at the end of last year with Beta Film’s Jan Mojto as partner.
The first project to go into production this year will be the melancholic romantic comedy What Does Not Kill Us (Was Uns Nicht Umbringt) by writer-director Sandra Nettelbeck in August with a cast including August Zirner, Sophie Rois, Christian Berkel, Bjarne Mädel and Jenny Schily.
The German-language film will mark Nettelbeck’s return to filmmaking in Germany after working abroad for more than ten years on films including Helen and Mr. Morgan’s Last Love. It will also link to the director’s internationally successful romantic comedy Mostly Martha (Bella Martha) with...
- 2/23/2016
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall was the Chilean drama Colonia starring Mikael Nyqvist, Emma Watson, and Daniel Brühl, which follows a young couple who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973. Directed by Florian Gallenberger, it was picked up for a U.S. release by Screen Media Films and now we have the first U.S. trailer.
We said in our review, “Colonia ultimately falls prey to a desire for a concrete happy ending in the face of adversity. While the film’s exact conclusion works well in Argo because it’s the goal from the beginning, the airport chase here plays as an afterthought. We invest so much time in the compound and its oppression that turning the emotional drama of love into against-the-clock action feels disingenuous. Especially since not everyone survives the initial fight for freedom. How can we experience what should be...
We said in our review, “Colonia ultimately falls prey to a desire for a concrete happy ending in the face of adversity. While the film’s exact conclusion works well in Argo because it’s the goal from the beginning, the airport chase here plays as an afterthought. We invest so much time in the compound and its oppression that turning the emotional drama of love into against-the-clock action feels disingenuous. Especially since not everyone survives the initial fight for freedom. How can we experience what should be...
- 2/19/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
It looks like Emma Watson has another solid looking film project for us to watch. It's called Colonia, and it's set in the '70s, and it tells the true story of a young woman who infiltrates a cult community to find her boyfriend. It looks like it’s going to be a pretty intense thriller.
The movie also stars Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds), Mikael Nyqvist (John Wick), Richenda Carey (Residue, Separate Lies), Vicky Krieps (A Most Wanted Man), August Zirner (The Counterfeiters), and Martin Wuttke (Inglourious Basterds). Here’s the synopsis:
Chile, 1973. Lufthansa flight attendant Lena (Watson) is in Santiago to visit her boyfriend, Daniel (Brühl), a talented graphic artist creating images in support of embattled President Salvador Allende. When Allende is violently ousted, General Augusto Pinochet’s forces begin rounding up dissidents. Daniel is taken to the remote stronghold of Colonia Dignidad (“Dignity Colony”), home to a secret...
The movie also stars Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds), Mikael Nyqvist (John Wick), Richenda Carey (Residue, Separate Lies), Vicky Krieps (A Most Wanted Man), August Zirner (The Counterfeiters), and Martin Wuttke (Inglourious Basterds). Here’s the synopsis:
Chile, 1973. Lufthansa flight attendant Lena (Watson) is in Santiago to visit her boyfriend, Daniel (Brühl), a talented graphic artist creating images in support of embattled President Salvador Allende. When Allende is violently ousted, General Augusto Pinochet’s forces begin rounding up dissidents. Daniel is taken to the remote stronghold of Colonia Dignidad (“Dignity Colony”), home to a secret...
- 2/18/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Yahoo! Movies has posted a new trailer for Colonia, starring Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl, Richenda Carey,Vicky Krieps, August Zirner, Martin Wuttke, and Mikael Nyqvist.
Film is set in Chile, 1973. Lufthansa flight attendant Lena (Watson) is in Santiago to visit her boyfriend, Daniel (Brühl), a talented graphic artist creating images in support of embattled President Salvador Allende. When Allende is violently ousted, General Augusto Pinochet’s forces begin rounding up dissidents. Daniel is taken to the remote stronghold of Colonia Dignidad (“Dignity Colony”), home to a secret agricultural commune and crypto-fascist sect led by sinister minister Paul Schäfer (Michael Nyqvist).
Daniel is interrogated and tortured, but feigns severe mental deterioration to stay alive. Valiant and wily, Lena travels to Colonia and offers herself up to Schäfer as a follower. She is determined to find and free Daniel — but first she must ensure that she herself can survive Schäfer’s crushingly oppressive,...
Film is set in Chile, 1973. Lufthansa flight attendant Lena (Watson) is in Santiago to visit her boyfriend, Daniel (Brühl), a talented graphic artist creating images in support of embattled President Salvador Allende. When Allende is violently ousted, General Augusto Pinochet’s forces begin rounding up dissidents. Daniel is taken to the remote stronghold of Colonia Dignidad (“Dignity Colony”), home to a secret agricultural commune and crypto-fascist sect led by sinister minister Paul Schäfer (Michael Nyqvist).
Daniel is interrogated and tortured, but feigns severe mental deterioration to stay alive. Valiant and wily, Lena travels to Colonia and offers herself up to Schäfer as a follower. She is determined to find and free Daniel — but first she must ensure that she herself can survive Schäfer’s crushingly oppressive,...
- 2/17/2016
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Florian Gallenberger’s thriller is set during the Chilean military coup of 1973.
Florian Gallenberger’s Colonia, starring Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl has wrapped principal photography after 47 days of shooting in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America.
It marks Watson’s first lead role since Harry Potter. Alongside Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist, the supporting cast includes Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps, Julian Ovenden, August Zirner and Martin Wuttke.
The film tells the story of Lena (Watson) and Daniel (Brühl), a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
When Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police, Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer (Nyqvist) but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Benjamin Herrmann produced...
Florian Gallenberger’s Colonia, starring Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl has wrapped principal photography after 47 days of shooting in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America.
It marks Watson’s first lead role since Harry Potter. Alongside Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist, the supporting cast includes Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps, Julian Ovenden, August Zirner and Martin Wuttke.
The film tells the story of Lena (Watson) and Daniel (Brühl), a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
When Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police, Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer (Nyqvist) but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Benjamin Herrmann produced...
- 1/15/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl, Mikael Nyqvist star in thriller.
Beta Cinema has picked up sales to director Florian Gallenberger’s anticipated thriller Colonia starring Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist.
Production outfit Majestic are currently shooting in Germany and will move to South America later this year.
The film is due for release in October 2015.
“Florian’s script is a real page turner and the first rushes are more than promising. We can’t wait to introduce the film to buyers at this week’s Afm,“ stated Beta Cinema’s Dirk Schürhoff.
UTA Independent Film Group will be co-representing domestic rights.
Producer Benjamin Herrmann commented: “The combined powers of Beta Cinema and UTA are perfect for this suspense-filled international thriller, which is inspired by true events. We are excited to be working together on Colonia”.
Gallenberger’s script, co-written with Torsten Wenzel, tells the story of Lena (Emma Watson) and Daniel (Daniel Brühl), a young couple...
Beta Cinema has picked up sales to director Florian Gallenberger’s anticipated thriller Colonia starring Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist.
Production outfit Majestic are currently shooting in Germany and will move to South America later this year.
The film is due for release in October 2015.
“Florian’s script is a real page turner and the first rushes are more than promising. We can’t wait to introduce the film to buyers at this week’s Afm,“ stated Beta Cinema’s Dirk Schürhoff.
UTA Independent Film Group will be co-representing domestic rights.
Producer Benjamin Herrmann commented: “The combined powers of Beta Cinema and UTA are perfect for this suspense-filled international thriller, which is inspired by true events. We are excited to be working together on Colonia”.
Gallenberger’s script, co-written with Torsten Wenzel, tells the story of Lena (Emma Watson) and Daniel (Daniel Brühl), a young couple...
- 11/6/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
• Mark Rylance will play the title role in The Bfg, director Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel. The story follows a young girl, the Queen of England, and a giant, called the Bfg, who set out to capture the evil, man-eating giants who are taking over the human world. DreamWorks acquired the book in 2010. Melissa Mathison adapted it for the screen. Spielberg, Frank Marshall, and Sam Mercer are producing. Kathleen Kennedy will executive produce with John Madden and Michael Siegel. Kristie Macosko Krieger and Adam Somner are co-producers. Disney will release the film on July 1, 2016 in the U.
- 10/28/2014
- by C. Molly Smith
- EW - Inside Movies
She’s never been afraid of a challenge, and Emma Watson's latest role finds her in the middle of a cult in 1973.
The “Perks of Being a Wallflower” actress stars alongside Daniel Bruhl, Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps and August Zirner in “Colonia,” slated to release in October 2015.
Emma plays the role of Lena, “a young woman whose husband is abducted by Pinochet's secret police during the 1973 Chilean military coup d'etat. Lena must join a dangerous cult in the sealed-off Colonia Dignidad area in order to rescue him.”
“Colonia” is directed by Academy Award-winner Florian Gallenberger and recently wrapped up filming in Luxembourg. Watson will now relocate to Germany before finishing in South America.
The “Perks of Being a Wallflower” actress stars alongside Daniel Bruhl, Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps and August Zirner in “Colonia,” slated to release in October 2015.
Emma plays the role of Lena, “a young woman whose husband is abducted by Pinochet's secret police during the 1973 Chilean military coup d'etat. Lena must join a dangerous cult in the sealed-off Colonia Dignidad area in order to rescue him.”
“Colonia” is directed by Academy Award-winner Florian Gallenberger and recently wrapped up filming in Luxembourg. Watson will now relocate to Germany before finishing in South America.
- 10/27/2014
- GossipCenter
Fresh off his bloody beating in Keanu Reeves’ gun-fu action movie “John Wick,” Deadline announced that Mikael Nyqvist has joined the cast of Florian Gallenberger's directorial debut “Colonia.” With the announcement comes the first still to make its way off the active set, a rather creepy glimpse at Emma Watson’s next role. Breathe, “Harry Potter” Tumblr contingent! It’s just a movie. As reported last month, Watson and Daniel Brühl star as a young German couple who find themselves swept up in the Chilean military coup of 1973. Abducted by When Pinochet’s secret police abduct Daniel (Brühl), Lena (Watson) follows his trail to “Colonia Dignidad,” a charitable mission run by a lay preacher (Nyqvist). Or she thinks it’s a charitable. Turns out the sealed-off village is part prison, part cult commune. No one who enters leaves. Thus, the face-holding in the still above. Gallenberger makes the jump...
- 10/27/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Majestic Filmproduktion released a first look picture from Colonia, the just-began-filming period drama starring Emma Watson, Michael Nyqvist (John Wick) and Daniel Bruhl for Oscar-winning short film director Florian Gallenberger. The film tells the story of Lena (Watson) and Daniel (Bruhl), a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973. Daniel is abducted by Pinochet's secret police and Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schafer (Nyqvist) but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel. Richenda Carey (Separate Lies), Vicky Krieps (A Most Wanted Man), August Zirner (The Counterfeiters) and Martin Wuttke (Inglourious Basterds) co-star The film just wrapped production in Luxembourg, and now moves to Germany, before the shoot is...
- 10/27/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Cameras are rolling on "Colonia," an upcoming '70s set thriller. Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl lead the cast in Florian Gallenberger's film, taking place in the midst of the Chilean military coup of 1973. The first image has arrived, and below you can find the press release with further details on the cast and plot synopsis. Berlin, Germany (October 27, 2014) - Majestic has released the first look image for Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Florian Gallenberger’s Colonia, featuring Emma Watson alongside the latest addition to the cast, Mikael Nyqvist (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Trilogy, “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”, “John Wick”). The captivating Swedish actor takes the role of Paul Schäfer, lay preacher and leader of the infamous Colonia Dignidad. Also joining Emma Watson and co-star Daniel Brühl, are Richenda Carey (“Separate Lies”), Vicky Krieps (“A Most Wanted Man”), August Zirner (“The Counterfeiters”) and Martin Wuttke...
- 10/27/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Mikael Nyqvist joins Emma Watson and Daniel Bruhl in Chilean drama.
German production house Majesic has released the first image and new cast details Florian Gallenberger’s drama Colonia, starring Emma Watson and Daniel Bruhl.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Mikael Nyqvist, Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps, August Zirner and Martin Wuttke have joined the cast of the film about a young couple, Daniel and Lena, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
When Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police, Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the south of the country, called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer (Nyqvist) but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Having wrapped in Luxembourg, production now moves to Germany, before the shoot is completed in South America later this year...
German production house Majesic has released the first image and new cast details Florian Gallenberger’s drama Colonia, starring Emma Watson and Daniel Bruhl.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Mikael Nyqvist, Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps, August Zirner and Martin Wuttke have joined the cast of the film about a young couple, Daniel and Lena, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
When Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police, Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the south of the country, called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer (Nyqvist) but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Having wrapped in Luxembourg, production now moves to Germany, before the shoot is completed in South America later this year...
- 10/27/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl will be joined by Mikael Nyqvist (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) in German helmer Florian Gallenberger’s period pic Colonia. The short film Oscar winner just wrapped in Luxembourg with the production now moving to Germany. The shoot will conclude in South America later this year. The thriller is inspired by true events and sees Brühl’s Daniel and Watson’s Lena entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973. When Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police, Lena tracks him to a sealed-off area called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by a lay preacher (Nyqvist), but is in fact a place from which no one has ever escaped. In order to find her beloved, Lena decides to join the cult. Also just added to the cast are Richenda Carey (Separate Lies), Vicky Krieps...
- 10/27/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
Global Screen has picked up sales rights to German rom-com Coming In from Marco Kreuzpaintner.
Marco Kreuzpaintner’s (Summer Storm, Trade) latest effort tells the story of a gay hairdresser who falls in love with a female beauty parlor owner.
Kostja Ullmann and Aylin Tezel star alongside Ken Duken, August Zirner and Katja Riemann.
The film is a Summerstorm Entertainment production, in co-production with Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany and in cooperation with Bavaria Film Partners.
Producers are Gabriela Bacher, Christoph Müller and Christian Angermayer of Summerstorm’s parent company Film House Germany.
Warner Bros. will be releasing the film in the autumn in Germany.
Marco Kreuzpaintner’s (Summer Storm, Trade) latest effort tells the story of a gay hairdresser who falls in love with a female beauty parlor owner.
Kostja Ullmann and Aylin Tezel star alongside Ken Duken, August Zirner and Katja Riemann.
The film is a Summerstorm Entertainment production, in co-production with Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany and in cooperation with Bavaria Film Partners.
Producers are Gabriela Bacher, Christoph Müller and Christian Angermayer of Summerstorm’s parent company Film House Germany.
Warner Bros. will be releasing the film in the autumn in Germany.
- 2/8/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Buoyed by one nifty title character, "Hannah", an offbeat political thriller from Reinhard Schwabenitzky ("An Almost Perfect Affair"), emerged as a certified crowd-pleaser at the recent Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it received its U.S. premiere.
Austria's Oscar submission for best foreign-language film, the caper stars Schwabenitzky collaborator Elfi Eschke as an irrepressible publicist who lands a dream job at a toy company only to uncover some nasty neo-Nazi activity lurking just beyond the shelves full of cute dolls and teddy bears.
The film should do some solid art-house business once it lines up a domestic distribution deal.
Eschke's Hannah Fischer is a zaftig dynamo with a strongly independent spirit who manages to pleasantly take others aback with her no-nonsense approach to life. One such admirer is Wolfgang Heck (August Zirner), the handsome junior executive director of the Hochstedt Co., where Hannah has just secured a director of marketing gig.
Unfortunately, just as their little love affair blossoms, Hannah inadvertently discovers that the prominent toy company is actually a front for a faction of racist extremists headed up by Heck's uncle (Jurgen Hentsch) and father (David Cameron). Sharing her discovery with a newspaper reporter friend (Max Tidof), Hannah, herself the child of a Jewish parent, soon finds herself embroiled in political intrigue with wide-reaching ramifications.
Schwabenitzky's script (co-written by Susanne Ayoub with an assist from Jonathan Carroll) runs the gamut from snappy romantic comedy to dark political thriller. And while the gear-shifting goes relatively smoothly, it's still a bit of a leap, particularly when it reaches its cautionary-tale, anti-fascist finale. Nimbly keeping it all together is Eschke, an actress who alternately manages to convey a earthy joie de vivre and a deep-seated melancholy with the blink of an eye. An ideal match, both actress and character are richly deserving of a return engagement.
Other performances are also strong, highlighted by love interest Zirner's portrayal of an executive whose charming demeanor is masking a troubling secret; and Hentsch (also seen during the festival in the powerful "The Deathmaker") as the toy company's cold-blooded commander.
HANNAH
Star Film
Director Reinhard Schwabenitzky
Screenwriters Susanne Ayoub,
Reinhard Schwabenitzky
Based on a story by Reinhard Schwabenitzky
Additional dialogue Jonathan Carroll
Director of photography Fabian Eder
Production designer Kuly Sander
Editor Ingrid Koller
Costume designer Suzie Heger
Music Hannes M. Schalle
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hannah Fischer Elfi Eschke
Wolfgang Heck August Zirner
Dr. Thomas Hochstedt Jurgen Hentsch
Helge Hochstedt Paul Herwig
Elisabeth Hochstedt Helma Gautier
Rose Hochstedt Else Quecke
Pollak Max Tidof
Heck David Cameron
Running time -- 118 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Austria's Oscar submission for best foreign-language film, the caper stars Schwabenitzky collaborator Elfi Eschke as an irrepressible publicist who lands a dream job at a toy company only to uncover some nasty neo-Nazi activity lurking just beyond the shelves full of cute dolls and teddy bears.
The film should do some solid art-house business once it lines up a domestic distribution deal.
Eschke's Hannah Fischer is a zaftig dynamo with a strongly independent spirit who manages to pleasantly take others aback with her no-nonsense approach to life. One such admirer is Wolfgang Heck (August Zirner), the handsome junior executive director of the Hochstedt Co., where Hannah has just secured a director of marketing gig.
Unfortunately, just as their little love affair blossoms, Hannah inadvertently discovers that the prominent toy company is actually a front for a faction of racist extremists headed up by Heck's uncle (Jurgen Hentsch) and father (David Cameron). Sharing her discovery with a newspaper reporter friend (Max Tidof), Hannah, herself the child of a Jewish parent, soon finds herself embroiled in political intrigue with wide-reaching ramifications.
Schwabenitzky's script (co-written by Susanne Ayoub with an assist from Jonathan Carroll) runs the gamut from snappy romantic comedy to dark political thriller. And while the gear-shifting goes relatively smoothly, it's still a bit of a leap, particularly when it reaches its cautionary-tale, anti-fascist finale. Nimbly keeping it all together is Eschke, an actress who alternately manages to convey a earthy joie de vivre and a deep-seated melancholy with the blink of an eye. An ideal match, both actress and character are richly deserving of a return engagement.
Other performances are also strong, highlighted by love interest Zirner's portrayal of an executive whose charming demeanor is masking a troubling secret; and Hentsch (also seen during the festival in the powerful "The Deathmaker") as the toy company's cold-blooded commander.
HANNAH
Star Film
Director Reinhard Schwabenitzky
Screenwriters Susanne Ayoub,
Reinhard Schwabenitzky
Based on a story by Reinhard Schwabenitzky
Additional dialogue Jonathan Carroll
Director of photography Fabian Eder
Production designer Kuly Sander
Editor Ingrid Koller
Costume designer Suzie Heger
Music Hannes M. Schalle
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hannah Fischer Elfi Eschke
Wolfgang Heck August Zirner
Dr. Thomas Hochstedt Jurgen Hentsch
Helge Hochstedt Paul Herwig
Elisabeth Hochstedt Helma Gautier
Rose Hochstedt Else Quecke
Pollak Max Tidof
Heck David Cameron
Running time -- 118 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 2/11/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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