The film series opens with the debut film BEYOND THE BLUE BORDER by Sarah Neumann, where the quest for freedom, the drama of change, and the hope for a better future converge during the final months of the GDR.
The program includes works by other talented filmmakers from the emerging German film scene. These include EVERY YOU EVERY ME by Michael Fetter Nathansky, which intricately weaves themes of love and identity into a complex web of relationships. Equally impressive is Sara Summa's European road movie ARTHUR & DIANA, which tells the story of a brother and sister's journey from Berlin to Paris and the unexpected family dynamics that unfold along the way. We are particularly pleased that Sara Summa will be presenting her film in person in Hong Kong.
The program will also feature works by established directors, including Thomas Arslan with his latest film SCORCHED EARTH, which was screened as part of the Berlinale 2024 program, Chris Kraus, whose film 15 YEARS continues the story from his successful 2006 film FOUR MINUTES, and Jochen Hick with the documentary QUEER EXILE BERLIN, which portrays six young queer people from different parts of the world who have settled in Berlin. After the screening of his film, Jochen Hick will be available to answer audience questions virtually via video chat.
This year, KINO is once again expanding its focus beyond Germany to include German-language films. In collaboration with the Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, the film 8 DAYS IN AUGUST by Samuel Perriard, in which a family vacation turns into an emotional rollercoaster, will be shown as part of Swiss Month. The Austrian Night, in cooperation with the Austrian Consulate General Hong Kong, presents ANDREA GETS A DIVORCE by Josef Hader, which tells the story of a woman who, after separating from her husband, seeks her own path in a small Austrian village.
A special highlight of the KINO program is the homage to German actress Sandra Hüller, whose unmistakable talent has made her one of the biggest names in contemporary German cinema. Hüller, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2024, can be seen in five selected films. This homage includes TONI ERDMANN, the film that marked her international breakthrough, the 2018 Berlinale opening film IN THE AISLES, and ZONE OF INTEREST, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 as well as numerous other international awards.
A diverse and exciting KINO program awaits you, with numerous discoveries and surprises in store!
-- Arendt Röskens, Director, Goethe-Institut Hongkong
