German films at Berlinale you might want to look out for, with something to satisfy every taste:
No. 1 & in the Competition: The world premiere of Thomas Arslan's (Dealer, Ferien, Im Schatten) long-awaited Western GOLD, starring Nina Hoss (BARBARA), Marko Mandic, Uwe Bohm -- shot and set in Western Canada during the late 19th century gold rush.
Also in Competition are two great European actresses: France's Isabelle Huppert and Germany's Martina Gedeck star in the co-pro LA RELIGIEUSE by Guillaume Nicloux.
Pia Marais follows her 2010 feature At the Age of Ellen (at TIFF that year) with her English-language thriller LAYLA FOURIE, in Competition, about a young single-mother in South Africa who receives a job assignment as polygraphist. In the constant presence of mistrust, lies and fear Layla soon becomes a suspect herself. Starring our Shooting Star August Diehl.
LOSE YOUR HEAD is a psycho thriller about a Spanish party tourist who gets lost in Berlin. The film is inspired by the true story of a young Portuguese man who disappeared some years ago after a night at Berghain club. Directed by newcomer Stefan Westerwelle, who made it into the acclaimed Panorama program with his film.
Trailer and interviews here:
http://vimeo.com/loseyourhead
For cinephiles: Sandra Pechtel takes a look at the life of ROLAND KLICK - THE HEART IS A HUNGRY HUNTER, the German director who worked with Denis Hopper, Mario Adorf, but never found sustained success between the New German Cinema and commercial ambitions. Noticeable the star line-up of his contemporaries in this documentary of recent German cinematic history: Eva Mattes, Otto Sander and Hark Bohm.
Beyond that an astounding number of US (indie) films, which should make for an interesting and fresh Festival this February.
Next week: NATIVe at Berlinale...
by Jutta Brendemühl, Goethe-Institut Toronto
