Filmscreenings and discussions New German Films at the Dublin International Film Festival 2019
The Goethe-Institut Irland has teamed up with the Dublin International Film Festival again to present new films from Germany: Christian Petzold’s film „Transit“, which was shown in competition at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival, as well as „Ballon“ von Michael Herbig and „This Crazy Heart“ by Marc Rothemund, shown in Dublin as part of the Fantastic Flix film programme for young audiences.
Saturday, 23 February 2019, 8:30 pm
Cineworld 9, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
Ballon
| © Studiocanal
BallonDir.: Michael Herbig, colour, 125 min, Germany 2017/2018
Based on actual events, this feature film tells the story of a spectacular escape from the GDR. In summer 1979, after two years of preparations and planning, the Strezlzyk and Wetzel families want to escape from the GDR in a self-built hot-air balloon. The Strelzyk family goes first, but has to make an emergency landing before they get to cross the border. The damaged balloon gets carried away by the wind. While the family can make it back home safely, both, the Strelzyks as well as the Wetzels know it won’t be long before the Stasi are onto them. Feverishly, they start building a new, more stable balloon to undertake another attempt to escape.
Awards: Nominated for the German Film Award 2018
Filmmaker attendance
Sunday, 24 Februar 2019, 8:40 pm
Lighthouse 1, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Paula Beer und Franz Rogowski in Transit
| © Marco Krüger
TransitDir: Christian Petzold, colour, 102 min, Germany/France 2017/2018
The German troops are just outside Paris. Georg escapes to Marseille at the last moment. His luggage contains the legacy of a writer named Weidel, who took his own life out of fear of persecution. This legacy comprises a manuscript, some letters and the Mexican Embassy’s assurance of a visa. Only those who can prove that they will leave are allowed in this port town, and this means you need an entry permit from a potential host country. Assuming the identity of Weidel, Georg tries to obtain one of the few scarce passages on a ship. Talks between refugees take place in the corridors of his small hotel, the waiting rooms of consulates, and the cafés and bars down at the harbour. Georg befriends Driss, the son of his late comrade Heinz, who died whilst trying to flee. But when he meets the mysterious Marie, his plans change.
"Transit" is based on Anna Seghers' eponymous novel which she wrote in exile. The film is set in contemporary Marseille where these characters from the past move around. And so, refugees from back then meet refugees from today, history meets the present, and all of their stories combine to create one eternal transit space.
Festivals and awards: Berlinale 2018, Honkong 2018, Toronto 2018, Vancouver 2018, New York 2018, Chicago 2018 et.al.
Tuesday, 26 February 2019, 10:00 am
Movies@Dundrum VIP, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14
Dieses bescheurte Herz
| © 2017 Constantin Film Verleih GmbH, Photo: Jürgen Olczyk
Dieses bescheuerte Herz / This Crazy HeartDir.: Marc Rothemund, colour, 106 min, Germany 2016/2017
IFCO: ages 15+
Part of Fantastic Flix - Films for young audiences at the Dublin International Film Festival
Lenny, a man in his late twenties, takes life easy. He dropped out of college a while ago already, still lives in his parents' mansion and prefers to spend his nights in a fancy club. One day, his widowed father, a renowned cardiologist, has had it. He cuts his son's money supply, throws him out of the house and forces him on an unusual mission: In order to get his old life back, Lenny has to spend time with David, who is suffering from a severe heart condition and lives with his mother in modest circumstances. Lenny's father hopes that this experience will make his son come to his senses. And who would have thought it: After an initial lack of interest, Lenny soon starts developing brotherly feelings for David with his zest for life. He makes it his mission to fulfill the boy's each and every wish. Lenny also comes to realize how serious his protégé's situation really is.
Director Marc Rothemund will be present to talk about his film.
Tickets: +353 1 6877974 or at diff.ie
Box Office in Cineworld: Thursday and Friday 3:00 - 9:00 pm / Saturday 12:00 noon - 8:00 pm
Presented in co-operation with the Goethe-Institut Irland