Sámi Cinema - Stories from the North

The 38th Braunschweig International Film Festival focused on a people from the north of Europe: around 140,000 Sámi live in the north of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, the only people recognized as indigenous in Europe. The special series Sámi Cinema - Stories from the North tells their story, a story of discrimination and dispossession, but also of cohesion and resistance and ultimately of emancipation from the majority society. The struggles they are still fighting today could be seen in a very impressive curation of 8 feature-length films and 5 short films, which were selected in cooperation with the International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) - all films by Sámi directors. "We have been discovering more and more films by Sámi filmmakers at festivals for some time now and were thrilled by the power of these stories. That's how we came across the International Sámi Film Institute and are delighted that we were able to curate this special series together with them," reports Co-Festival Director Karina Gauerhof.

Bloodsuckers conquer Braunschweig

Even though Halloween was already some time ago at the start of the Braunschweig International Film Festival, the festival was taken over by vampires this year. This was already clear at the start: together with the Braunschweig State Orchestra, the BIFF presented an unforgettable German premiere with BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - LIVE IN CONCERT.
The film series Vampires at Midnight followed on thematically from the opening film concert. Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula" (1897) gave the vampire myth its modern form. Since then, the undead count and his cinematic relatives have conquered pop culture as personifications of death and Eros and are currently experiencing a renaissance. Robert Eggers' NOSFERATU remake will be released at the beginning of 2025. Among other things, the BIFF showed the original from 1922 in an atmospheric silent film concert with organ accompaniment by Weimar pianist Richard Siedhoff in the Petrikirche and the film adaptation by Werner Herzog on the big screen. The series was supplemented by short films, including THE SON OF DRACULA (1960), an 8mm early work by Italian cult director Corrado Farina, which was shown on a cinema screen for the first time outside Italy.

A villain with a big heart: Udo Kier conquers Braunschweig's hearts

The EUROPA Award winner of the 38th Braunschweig International Film Festival is also very familiar with vampires: Udo Kier played the leading role in ANDY WARHOLS DRACULA (1974) and played the film architect Albin Grau in SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE (2000), a homage to Murnau's masterpiece NOSFERATU - A SYMPHONY OF GREY. Kier, who has appeared in more than 280 film and television productions, has worked with renowned stars of independent and arthouse cinema. He made ANDY WARHOL'S DRACULA (1974) with Andy Warhol and THE THIRD GENERATION (1979) with Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Films by Christoph Schlingensief and Lars von Trier are also closely linked to Kier's unique roles. In Hollywood, he is considered a master of distinctive supporting roles and has earned himself a star on the Walk of Fame. The 80-year-old won the hearts of the Braunschweig festival audience in no time at all. Despite numerous press appointments, he always found time for personal conversations, willingly posed for photos and charmed the audience with his open and cheerful charisma. After the screenings of his films, he also took the time to talk to the audience about his works.

SUNLIGHT and BLOCK PASS win in the main competition

The Volkswagen Financial Services Film Prize, endowed with 10,000 euros, went to Claire Dix for the film SUNLIGHT (Ireland 2023). In her directorial debut, Claire Dix tells the story of Leon, a clean junkie and daydreamer, and his terminally ill friend Iver. On the day of Iver's planned assisted suicide, Leon questions his decision and takes him on a loving journey through shared memories and familiar places in Dublin. This emotional pilgrimage becomes a tender exploration of the value of life and the choices we make at the end of our journey. Jury member Reik Möller (producer of Senator Film Produktion GmbH) comments: "Claire Dix's directorial work shows a sensitivity that authentically expresses the deep bond between her characters. While Leon challenges his friend's firm decision with resistance and compassion, the film skillfully balances the heaviness of the subject matter with light moments and captivates the audience. The nuanced performances of Barry Ward and Liam Carney as Leon and Iver, combine a special humor and a deep vulnerability. Maureen Beattie's role as Maria, who supports Iver in his decision, adds another dimension to the film and embodies a human approach to an emotionally charged subject.

The HEINRICH Audience Award, also endowed with 10,000 euros, was presented to French director Antoine Chevrollier for his debut film BLOCK PASS (France 2024). A film about deep friendship, grief, anger and homophobia in the environment of male-dominated motocross sport and the search for one's own path. Chevrollier, who himself comes from the small town on the Loire discussed in the film, has made a strong debut film with his talented leading actors, which celebrated its world premiere in Cannes. Now the award followed in the Lion City. "This means a lot for me. We had an amazing crew - we did all this for the audience," Chevrollier thanked. And Angela Kleinhans, Head of Internal Communications and Sponsoring at Volkswagen Financial Services, emphasized at the award ceremony: "Films are made for people - and that's exactly why they belong on the big screen."

The TILDA for Norwegian-Samish director Sara Margrethe Oskal

Norwegian-Sami author, actress, artist and director Sara Margrethe Oskal took home the 6,000 euro TILDA award (Best Film by a Female Director). Oskal's feature film debut THE TUNDRA WITHIN ME (Norway 2023) was not only one of the ten films in the main competition, but also a contribution to this year's focus "Sámi Cinema - Stories from the North". The film gains great authenticity through the biographical backgrounds of those involved: like the director, both main actors are Sámi. The award-winning performance artist and poet Oskal herself herded reindeer for ten years. "This film is told from an indigenous, intersectional feminist and insider perspective - and fascinates with its powerful yet vulnerable storytelling and its masterful use of moving images, sound and sensitive editing that leaves room for the characters, their subjectivity and the landscape," the jury statement said.

The jury presented the Braunschweig Film Prize to Anja Plaschg for her role in DES TEUFELS BAD (Austria/Germany 2024). "Anja, you didn't just play a character, you brought a piece of human experience to life. Your Agnes inspired us and made us build a bridge to the position of women in the 18th century and reflect on themes such as social identity, religion, pain, darkness, hope, forgiveness and light in the here and now," enthused Anne Ratte-Polle (actress) on behalf of the jury. "This film was the most intense project in my professional life so far," confirmed Plaschg.

ECHT: Films, far from simple answers

The queer film prize ECHT was awarded to the Brazilian film director Carolina Markowicz for TOLL (Brazil/Portugal 2023). The reasoning: "An unfortunately still - worldwide - topical subject, conversion therapy, is told here in a courageous, visually stunning and surprisingly light way. The director manages with stylistic confidence to give all the characters and relationships an ambivalence and complexity that makes it impossible to judge and condemn too lightly and forces the viewer to deal on a deep level with the hardships, constraints and the reality of life of a single mother and her queer son in a precarious environment. A film that is far removed from simplification and easy answers, deeply moving and resonates for a long time."

The Franco-German Youth Award KINEMA was presented to the directing duo Pablo Cotten and Joseph Rozé for their strong debut film ETERNAL PLAYGROUND (France 2024). The jury, made up of six German and French students including Sarah Bellenger, Juliana Golubev, Hannah Heinert, Jascha Hermann, Amélie Jaupitre and Salomé Mangeon, was visibly impressed: "From the opening scene onwards, we were able to identify with the characters. The friendship was authentically portrayed through many confrontations and fits of laughter within the group. The wide range of camera angles used took us through all the emotions."

Cinematic pleas for personal responsibility and hope

Can a movie change your life? The films in the "Green Horizons" series aim to inspire, inspire and encourage. This year's associated Green Horizons Award was presented to director Blake McWilliam for SEND KELP! (Canada 2023) was presented. "The film captivates with powerful images that capture the fragile beauty of the ocean, while at the same time illuminating the emotional inner life of a young generation: Frances draws new strength from her 'eco-grief' to actively make a difference. SEND KELP! is a powerful plea for environmental protection, personal responsibility and hope in a changing, crisis-ridden world," said the jury in the award statement. "We hope that the film changed your mind," McWilliam summed up his concern in the acceptance speech.

Iranian-American director Liam LoPinto was delighted to receive The EDDA Audience Award for Best Short Film for THE OLD YOUNG CROW (Japan/USA 2023). In this work, Mehrdad, now an old man, reflects on his childhood experiences in Tokyo, where he befriended an old Japanese woman. He flicks through his old sketchbook, which is set in motion by a combination of animation and live action. "Be able to be seen by so many people means a lot to me," explained LoPinto in his video message.