MOVIE SPECIALS FROM AUSTRIA, GERMANY and SWITZERLAND March 17, 2010

MOVIE SPECIALS FROM AUSTRIA, GERMANY and SWITZERLAND

The Goethe-Institut Los Angeles and the consulates of Switzerland and Austria are teaming up to bring you a program of films that were successful in their respective countries. They range from a documentary on impossible love in Kabul, a romantic comedy set in Italy, a biting satyre from Austria and a stroll through 100 years of German film.

Wednesday, March 17 @ 7:00 p.m.
Der Knochenmann (The Bone Man)
Austria, 2008, Dir. Wolfgang Murnberger, color, 121 min., digital, German with English subtitles

Something just happened again? Ex-detective Brenner (Josef Hader) faces the challenges of a bizarre country inn. The dangers lurking there are deadly; the young landlady turns his head so much, he is lucky it remains stuck to his neck. After Come, Sweet Death and Silentium here is the third outing for the successful Hader/Murnberger/Haas trio. Cryptic cinematic entertainment at its very best.

Wednesday, March 24 @ 7:00 p.m.
Auge in Auge - eine deutsche Filmgeschichte
(Eye to Eye - all about German Film)
Germany, 2007, Dir. Hans Helmut Prinzler, Michael Althen, 99 min, German with English subtitles
This is a film about the love of cinema, a journey of discovery through over a century of German film. The films also works as a movie guessing game, including references to around 250 German films. Those who find their own memories triggered by this documentary will hopefully feel inclined to watch these old films again themselves.

Wednesday, March 31 @ 7:00 p.m.
Die Standesbeamtin (Will You Mary Us?)
Switzerland, 2009, Dir. Micha Lewinsky, color, 90 min., digital, Swiss-German with English subtitles.
Rahel Hubli is employed as a civil registrar. She hasn't believed in the so-called “love of her life” in ages. But when childhood friend Ben suddenly turns up, Rahel remembers, what love feels like. And that leads to even more problems, because Rahel is already married. And Ben would like to get married: by Rahel.

Wednesday, April 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
Immer nie am Meer (Forever Never Anywhere)
Austria, 2007, Dir. Antonin Svoboda, color, 90 min., digital, German with English subtitles
After an accident somewhere on a remote road three men are trapped in their car. Injured, wedged and without any possible escape in sight they await their rescue. After they hear the yearned for siren it's not long before they discover it's only the revelation of the living hell.

Wednesday, April 14 @ 7:00 p.m.
Mein Herz sieht die Welt schwarz - Eine Liebe in Kabul
(War and Love in Kabul)
Germany, 2009, Documentary, Dir. Helga Reidemeister, 87 min, English subtitles, digital
Shaima and Hossein are in love. But Shaima is already married to another, and Hossein is a paraplegic unable to work. Add to these already extraordinary problems the threat of igniting a generation-decimating blood feud, and the unfolding drama takes on the dimensions of a Shakespearean play. Helga Reidemeister’s observational camera captures the muddy hues of bombed-out Kabul and the whispering worlds of Afghani women, as she demonstrates not only the difficulties of lives lived in a perpetual war zone but also of an outsider trying to penetrate the layers of truth.

Wednesday, April 21 @ 7:00 p.m.
Marciello Marciello
Switzerland, 2008, Dir. Dennis Rabaglia, color, 97 min, digital, Italian with English subtitles
This romantic comedy is set in 1956 Italy. The 18-year-old fisherman’s son, Marcello sets eyes on the enchanting Elena, the mayor’s daughter, who is about to celebrate her 18th birthday. According to tradition, the young villagers have to come up with a gift for the girl’s father to be allowed a date. That sets off a frenzy, pitching villagers against each other, only to end up with a happy ending.