Archive 2006

New german Films

"Pingpong"

Over the last years "New German Cinema" has developed into a much-loved festival section. Perhaps it is that in times of social uncertainty people feel a strong desire to examine their own country’s history, more closely identifiable to their own life and experiences, and a desire for characters and relationships in whom they can better empathise. Many young filmmakers, fortunately including many female directors, are taking a hold of this topic and are conveying this uncertain everyday life, presenting us with a new realism. These directors are able to use many excellent, often unknown actors.

Among others, we will present the following impressive five debut films: "Sieh zu dass du Land gewinnst" (Kerstin Ahlrichs); "Prinzessin" (Birgit Grosskopf); "Was ich von ihr weiss" (Maren-Kea Freese); "Valerie" (Birgit Möller) and "Elbe" (Marco Mittelstaedt).

The programme "New German Films" is being supported by "Gärtner Datensysteme".

Elbe
Director: Marco Mittelstaedt, D 2005, 86 min, 35 mm, colour, GV
Actors: Henning Peker, Tom Jahn, Steffi Kühnert
Th, November 9 5:15 pm CinemaxX 3 Guest: Marco Mittelstaedt
Su, November 12 5:45 pm CinemaxX 3 Guest: Marco Mittelstaedt

Gero and Kowsky are unemployed sailors who, though friends for a long time, know little about each other. Kowsky, restless and uneasy, gets through life on tricks and lies. Gero, in contrast, is introverted and craves a family. They go to Hamburg on the search for work, for themselves and a new life.

Pingpong
Director: Matthias Luthardt, D 2006, 89 min, 35 mm, colour, GV
Actors: Sebastian Urzendowsky, Marion Mitterhammer, Clemens Berg
Fr, November 10 10:15 pm CinemaxX 3
Su, November 12 1:30 pm CinemaxX 4 Guests: Marion Mitterhammer, Sebastian Urzendowsky

16 year-old Paul goes to stay with relatives and gets to know the family (Aunty Anna, her husband Stefan and their son Robert) better. Robert, a secret drinker, is fed up of pressure from his mum and the parent’s marriage is in shreds. When Stefan is away, something happens between Paul and Anna...

Sieh zu, daß Du Land gewinnst
Director: Kerstin Ahlrichs, D 2006, 85 min, 35 mm, colour, ES
Actors: Anna Maria Mühe, Lea Mornar, Susanne Bormann, Hansjürgen Hürrig
We, November 8 5:30 pm CinemaxX 1 Guests: Kerstin Ahlrichs, Anna Maria Mühe
Fr, November 10 8:00 pm CinemaxX 3 Guests: Kerstin Ahlrichs, Anna Maria Mühe

17 year-old Nike is overnight set the huge responsibility of saving the small family farm. Illegal workers harvest the strawberry fields and the fear is always present that someone will blow their cover. Nike’s life until now, as apprentice at the job centre, is turned upside down.

Konspirantinnen
Director: Paul Meyer, D 2006, 90 min, 35 mm, colour, bw
Sa, November 11 6:00 pm CinemaxX 3 Guest: Paul Meyer
Su, November 12 11:00 am CinemaxX 3 Guest: Paul Meyer

In April 1945 soldiers liberated a Polish women’s concentration camp in Emsland, where 1,726 former conspirators of the Warsaw Uprising had been imprisoned and had independently organised the camp with medical and educational supplies. Many felt betrayed by their allies and didn’t want to return to Poland.

Verfolgt (Hounded)
Director: Angelina Maccarone, D 2006, 95 min, 35 mm, bw, GV
Actors: Maren Kroymann, Kostja Ullmann
We, November 8 8:15 pm CinemaxX 3 Guest: Angelina Maccarone
Sa, November 11 1:30 pm CinemaxX 3
Su, November 12 3:30 pm CinemaxX 3

The routine life of probation officer Elsa is shaken up when her daughter moves out. Normality doesn’t seem enough anymore. In this emotional state she meets Jan who shows her a way out by offering to serve her sexually. Seduced, she gets into a tangle - she wants him, she doesn’t, she can and can’t.

Der Mann von der Botschaft
Director: Dito Tsintsadze, D 2005, 100 min, 35 mm, colour, ES
Actors: Burghart Klaußner, Lika Martinova, Marika Giorgobiani
Fr, November 10 5:30 pm CinemaxX 3
Sa, November 11 3:45 pm CinemaxX 3

Was ich von ihr weiß
Director: Maren-Kea Freese, D 2006, 90 min, 35 mm, colour, ES
Actors: Alice Dreyer, Julia Richter
Fr, November 10 3:15 pm CinemaxX 1 Guests: Maren-Kea Freese, Alice Dwyer
Sa, November 11 10:15 pm CinemaxX 3 Guests: Maren-Kea Freese, Alice Dwyer

Kati grew up at her Grandma’s and hasn’t seen her mother for years. After Grandma’s death, Kati is forced to live with the busy fashion-purchaser. The two are like strangers at first. Then Kati secretly follows her and discovers she’s a professional bag-thief – a shock for them both. But then Kati wants in...

Prinzessin
Director: Birgit Grosskopf, D 2006, 82 min, 35 mm, colour, ES
Actors: Irina Potapenko, Henriette Müller
We, November 8 3:00 pm CinemaxX 4 Guest: Birgit Grosskopf
Th, November 9 7:30 pm CinemaxX 3

Katharina lives on the city’s edge with friend Yvonne and others in her clique. Together they try to prove themselves among the bleakness and gloom. Yvonne is going to prison, so they try to make her last day bearable. When she decides not to go and Katharina starts to break away, the story takes a tragic turn...

Valerie
Director: Birgit Möller, D 2006, 85 min, 35 mm, colour, GV
Actors: Agata Buzek, Devid Striesow
Fr, November 10 1:00 pm CinemaxX 3
Su, November 12 8:15 pm CinemaxX 3

Broke and without work, once-successful model Valerie becomes stranded at Berlin’s Hyatt Hotel. Hiding the seriousness of her situation from friends and colleagues she keeps up appearances, hoping for a lucrative contract. Her friendship with parking- attendant André helps her out of the hopeless situation.

Futschicato
Director: Olav F. Wehling, D 2005, 65 min, BetaSP, colour, GV
Actors: Patrick von Blume, Helene Grass, Marie Rönnebeck
Fr, November 10 12:00 pm CinemaxX 4 Guest: Olav F. Wehling
Sa, November 11 12:15 pm CinemaxX 4 Guest: Olav F. Wehling

For 20 years Rainer has shared his house with many different people. As house-patriarch he is quite bossy and strict. The house rules are written on the fridge door. He and Marie, the mother of his child, are no longer in love. Even those around him lack lustre. Then he brings a new woman to the house...