In Heaven is a 1998 Austrian drama film directed by Michael Bindlechner. The film was entered into the 1999 International Film Festival Rotterdam.[1]
| In Heaven | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Michael Bindlechner |
| Written by | TG Gergely Teglasy |
| Produced by | Michael Bindlechner |
| Starring | Sylvie Testud Xaver Hutter Merab Ninidze |
| Cinematography | Michael Kaufmann |
| Edited by | Eliska Stibrova |
| Music by | Flora St. Loup |
Production company | FRAMES filmproduction |
| Distributed by | Bavaria International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Language | German |
| Budget | € 1,5 million |
Plot edit
Csiwi (Xaver Hutter) is 14 and "borrows" his brother's car at night - thus not only driving around the suburban streets until dawn but also to find his way in life. When he meets Valeska (Sylvie Testud) – who seems to know her destination which she has identified on a postcard - and Levi (Merab Ninidze) – who is tired of fighting and searching and wants to arrive only. Together they live through a summer of friendship at which end Csiw is alone again but finally knows his way.
Cast edit
- Sylvie Testud as Valeska
- Xaver Hutter as Civi
- Merab Ninidze as Levi
Themes edit
In Heaven is a coming of age story in which a rebellious young boy from the suburbs, Csiwi, encounters two people - Valeska and Levi - both in their desires and life goals pointing like signposts in a different direction. One summer, they experience the happiness of giving each other support and new hopes. But in the end each of them has to go his own way. Bindlechner: 'What makes it worth while to tell the story of Csiwi, Levi and Valeska is that apparent happiness on the surface can hide the underlying drama right to the end - as so often in real life".[2]
Critical reception edit
In Heaven received generally positive reviews[3] and was invited to more than twenty film festivals worldwide.
Awards edit
| Year | Festival | Result | Award | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Max Ophüls Festival | Winner[4] | Best Young Actor | Xaver Hutter |
| 1999 | Max Ophüls Festival | Nominated[5] | Best Film - Max Ophüls Award | Michael Bindlechner |
| 1999 | Rotterdam International Film Festival | Nominated[5] | Best Film - Tiger Award | Michael Bindlechner |
References edit
- ^ "Festival Rotterdam, Tiger Award: In Heaven".
- ^ IFFR. "official shortline". Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ zyk (1999-03-23). "Filmkritik zu In Heaven". Kino. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
- ^ Max Ophüls Award. "Festival Awards". Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ a b IMDB. "In Heaven: Awards".