Arts Minister Rod Welford will officially launch the 2008 Audi Festival of German Films at Palace Centro in Fortitude Valley tonight. Mr Welford said the five-day festival, presented by the Goethe-Institut Australien, would kick-off with a screening of the highly-anticipated thriller, The Wave.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Arts Minister Rod Welford will officially launch the 2008 Audi Festival of German Films at Palace Centro in Fortitude Valley tonight.
Mr Welford said the five-day festival, presented by the Goethe-Institut Australien, would kick-off with a screening of the highly-anticipated thriller, The Wave.
“This festival, 23-27 April, gives Brisbane film fans the opportunity to see the new wave of award-winning German films and casts a spotlight on the best of German film culture,” Mr Welford said.
“Contemporary German cinema is enjoying a strong period of growth and burgeoning international popularity, particularly after consecutive Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
“Our Government, through the Pacific Film and Television Commission, is committed to developing a vibrant screen culture for Queensland audiences by supporting events like this festival.
“The impressive festival program is guaranteed to satisfy and challenge cinema enthusiasts, with 15 very different new films showing.
“I’m thrilled to welcome back this annual event as part of its national tour and for the first time this year, audiences will be able to vote for their favourite film of the festival.”
Festival-goers can nominate their favourite film from the program as part of the inaugural Golden Gnome Awards. The program includes politically incorrect farce ( Special Escort, Rabbit Without Ears ), psychological thrillers ( Duel In The Night, The Calling Game ), gripping dramas ( Border of Despair, Along Came the Tourists ) and a family-friendly tale ( Max Minsky and Me ).
Opening night feature, The Wave, follows a German high school experiment on fascism which goes horribly wrong.
Oscar-winning wartime drama The Counterfeiters, which explores a series of moral and ethical dilemmas played out amidst social, political and historical forces, will be another festival highlight.
During the festival, audiences will also have the rare chance to engage in discussion forums with three special guests – German superstar actor Jurgen Vogel ( who stars in six festival films ), acclaimed German director Martin Gypkens ( Nothing But Ghosts ) and leading German film writer Anke Zindler.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
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