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 (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

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".