In Heaven (film)

Last updated
In Heaven
Directed by Michael Bindlechner
Written by TG Gergely Teglasy
Produced byMichael Bindlechner
Starring Sylvie Testud
Xaver Hutter  [ de ]
Merab Ninidze
CinematographyMichael Kaufmann
Edited byEliska Stibrova
Music byFlora St. Loup
Production
company
FRAMES filmproduction
Distributed byBavaria International
Release date
  • 16 September 1999 (1999-09-16)
Running time
102 minutes
Countries
  • Germany
  • Austria
LanguageGerman
Budget€ 1,5 million

In Heaven is a 1998 Austrian drama film directed by Michael Bindlechner. The film was entered into the 1999 International Film Festival Rotterdam. [1]

Contents

Plot

Csiwi is 14 and "borrows" his brother's car at night, driving around the suburban streets until dawn and looking to find his way in life. He meets Valeska, who seems to know her destination which she has identified on a postcard, and Levi, who is tired of fighting and searching and only wants to arrive. Together they live through a summer of friendship. Eventually Csiw is alone again but finally knows his way.

Cast

Themes

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

In Heaven received generally positive reviews [3] and was invited to more than twenty film festivals worldwide.

Awards

YearFestivalResultAwardRecipient
1999Max Ophüls FestivalWinner [4] Best Young ActorXaver Hutter
1999Max Ophüls FestivalNominated [5] Best Film - Max Ophüls AwardMichael Bindlechner
1999 Rotterdam International Film Festival Nominated [5] Best Film - Tiger AwardMichael Bindlechner

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References

  1. "Festival Rotterdam, Tiger Award: In Heaven".
  2. IFFR. "official shortline" . Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. zyk (1999-03-23). "Filmkritik zu In Heaven". Kino. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  4. Max Ophüls Award. "Festival Awards". Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  5. 1 2 IMDB. "In Heaven: Awards".