ACFNY SUPPORTED | GERMAN-AUSTRIAN FILM FESTIVAL: WOMEN AND POWER
The German Department at Williams College is hosting its fifth German-Austrian Film Festival from September 17-October 1.
The three films selected all center on the relationship between “Women and Power,” this year’s theme.
September 17
LICHT [MADEMOISELLE PARADIS] (2017): BARBARA ALBERT
Vienna, 1777. Maria Theresia (“Resi”) Paradis, 18 years old, is blind, and a pianist of remarkable talent. Resi lost her eyesight literally overnight when she was three. After countless failed medical experiments, her overprotective parents seek out a controversial “miracle doctor,” Franz Anton Mesmer, as their last hope for a cure. For Dr. Mesmer, the chance to successfully treat the young girl could lead to fame and fortune. Resi moves into the estate of the doctor and his wife, wherein the company of other patients she tastes personal freedom for the first time. And Mesmer’s treatments seem to have almost immediate success. However, Resi soon notices that as her sight is beginning to return, her musical virtuosity is declining. She becomes aware that being part of society as a seeing person comes at too high a price if it can mean the loss of her inner world of music.
This visually stunning and emotionally powerful film will be introduced by the scriptwriter for Licht, Kathrin Resetarits, who also will do a Q&A afterward.
September 21
TONI ERDMANN (2016): MAREN ADE
Winfried doesn’t see much of his working daughter Ines. The suddenly student-less music teacher decides to surprise her with a visit after the death of his old dog. It’s an awkward move because serious career woman Ines is working on an important project as a corporate strategist in Bucharest. The geographical change doesn’t help the two to see more eye to eye. Practical joker Winfried loves to annoy his daughter with corny pranks. What’s worse are his little jabs at her routine lifestyle of long meetings, hotel bars and performance reports. Father and daughter reach an impasse, and Winfried agrees to return home to Germany. Enter flashy “Toni Erdmann” – Winfried’s smooth-talking alter ego. Disguised in a tacky suit, weird wig and even weirder fake teeth, Toni barges into Ines’ professional life, claiming to be her CEO’s life coach. As Toni, Winfried is bolder and doesn’t hold back, but Ines meets the challenge. The harder they push, the closer they become. In all the madness, Ines begins to understand that her eccentric father might deserve some place in her life after all.
This film will be introduced by faculty from the German Department of the Williams College.
October 1
HANNAH ARENDT (2012): MARGARETHE VON TROTTA
A look at the life of philosopher and political theorist Hannah Arendt, who reported for The New Yorker on the war crimes trial of the Nazi Adolf Eichmann.
This film will be introduced by faculty from the German Department of the Williams College.
Image Credit: LICHT
VENUE
Images Cinema, Williamstown
50 Spring St, Williamstown, MA 01267