Sisi & I

Late in the 19th century, Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary – known as Sisi – is living in an aristocratic women-only commune in Greece. Countess Irma is sent there to be Sisi’s companion, and she is captivated by the eccentric and extravagant recluse. She is put to the test by the Empress with sadistic tests of athleticism and a diet of laxative teas and cocaine extracts but once she is accepted, the two women become very close. All good things may come to an end, however, and when they return to Vienna, the lives of Sisi and Irma change drastically.
Germany 2022
Director: Frauke Finsterwalder
DCP, 132 min

Frauke Finsterwalder was born in Hamburg in 1975. After studying Literature and History in Berlin, she worked at various theatres including the Volksbühne on Rosa Luxemburg Platz and later as a journalist. She then studied Film Directing at HFF Munich. Finsterwalder has also lived in Kenya, Italy, California, India and Switzerland. Her debut feature film Finsterworld received numerous international awards.
Selected director’s filmography:
2023 Sisi & I (Sisi & Ich)
2013 Finsterworld
2010 Die Große Pyramide (Doc)
2007 Weil der Mensch ein Mensch ist (Doc)
2006 0.003 km (Short)