Very pleased to open our
GOETHE FILMS@ TIFF Lightbox fall 2023 series with the Canadian premiere of Fatih Akin's latest film Rheingold -- one night only, with an e-intro by Akin!
GOETHE FILMS @ TIFF Lightbox
3+5+10 October 2023
The genre of music films is as diverse and inventive as music itself, from culture-defining docs (Buena Vista Social Club) and cult musicals (The Sound of Music) to biopics and concert films. GOETHE FILMS spins three recent fiction films that take us on wild sonic rides, driven by characters engrossed in their aural worlds. Based on real events, Fatih Akin’s latest drama Rheingold pours the musical (and treasure hunting) exploits of German-Syrian gangster rapper Xatar into a hard-hitting international political thriller on a Wagnerian scale. The indie hit Orphea in Love flips gender on the Orpheus saga by following talented young opera singer Nele as her new love and musical dreams are threatened by her past. Leif in Concert mixes tunes and togetherness in a neighbourhood bar into a joyful reflection of life. From jazz to rap to an opera-of-sorts, the series Definitely Not the Opera invites viewers to immerse themselves in new sounds, with charismatic protagonists for whom music is passion and calling, lifeline and salvation.
3 OCT, 6:30PM
Rheingold (Germany 2022)
by Fatih Akin, with Emilio Sakraya, Denis Moschitto (In the Fade; Chico; Almanya)
Canadian premiere!
Co-presented with Toronto Arab Film
Xatar’s path from the ghetto to the top of the music charts is a dramatic adventure story. From the hell of an Iraqi prison, Giwar Hajabi came to Germany as a young boy with his family in the mid-1980s and landed at the very bottom. There were opportunities, but many more stumbling blocks. In no time, he went from a petty criminal to a big-time dealer. Until a shipment goes missing. To settle his debts with the cartel, Giwar plans a legendary gold heist.
“Akin's impressive film, based on the autobiographical memoirs of rapper Xatar, tells a ‘German story’ with great force: Direct, authentic and absolutely straightforward.” – German Film Assessment Board
5 OCT, 6:30PM
Orphea In Love (Germany 2022)
by Axel Ranisch, with Mirjam Mesak, Guido Badalamenti (Paul Thomas Anderson’s Anima), Ursina Lardi (The White Ribbon), Ursula Werner (When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit) and others
Toronto premiere! Longlisted as Germany's Oscar submission 2024
Co-presented with KESKUS International Estonian Centre
Young call centre agent Nele (Estonian opera singer Mirjam Mesak of the Bavarian State Opera) falls in love with a petty criminal street dancer. She is Orpheus. He is Eurydice. Her means of expression is song, he articulates himself through his dance. For her great love, she descends into the underworld, faces her old demons and learns to trust again in this gender twist on the classic myth.
“Ranisch celebrates opera, love and the power of music in everyday life. A great deal of enchanting poetry. Wonderful.” – Süddeutsche Zeitung
10 OCT, 6:30PM
Leif in Concert (Germany 2019)
by Christian Klandt, with Luise Heyer (Dark), Godehard Giese (Transit; Babylon Berlin), Maryam Zaree (Undine; Not A Word at TIFF23)
Toronto premiere!
In a small jazz bar music and community mix into a reflection of life. Lene, the good spirit of this place, not only has to take care of guests but fights for her big dream as she heads towards what might be the most important decision of her life. Director Klandt calls the movie “a film with friends” because he invited his favourite colleagues into this authentic low-budget indie comedy that quickly became a festival favourite.
“Overflowing with fantastic actors.” – FAZ
“Has the makings of a cult film.” -- TIP Berlin
“Simply an incredibly likeable film.” -- epd Film
All films with English subtitles; viewer discretion is advised.
Tickets $10 at TIFF online as of 27 September or day-of at in-person TIFF box office or by phone 1-888-258-8433
Curated by Jutta Brendemuhl
Email us by noon EST Friday, 29 Sept, for your chance to win a pair of tickets to one of the screenings in our series. Only the winners will be notified.
image: Rheingold Emilio Sakraya courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, DFF, © bombero international, Warner Bros. Ent., Gordon Timpen
