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Your browser does not support the video tag. Screen Rant presents the U.S. trailer for the new historical drama Goebbels and the Fhrer. Goebbels and the Fhrer offers a unique look into the private lives of Hitler and his master propagandist. The film's controversial storytelling challenges audiences to see history's biggest monsters as human.

Goebbels and the Fhrer is a historical drama detailing one of the most consequential relationships in human history, and Screen Rant has a first look at the United States trailer. The movie was written and directed by Joachim A. Lang, and stars Robert Stadlober as Joseph Goebbels, Franziska Weisz as Magda Goebbels, and Fritz Karl as Adolf Hitler. Goebbels and the Fhrer explores the rise and fall of Hitlers master propagandist and aims to give audiences a look at the private lives of its titular subjects.

Related 10 Best World War 2 Movies, Ranked According To IMDb...

Exclusive: Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired Northern American rights for Joachim A. Lang’s historical drama Goebbels and The Führer (aka Führer and Seducer) for a fall 2024 theatrical and digital release.

Beta Cinema, which launched sales on the feature at the EFM and brokered the North America deal, has also posted new deals for France (Condor Entertainment), Hungary (Ads), Bulgaria (Beta Film) and Greece (Tfg).

As previously announced, the film has also sold to Spain (A Contracorriente), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Japan (At Entertainment) and Australia & New Zealand (Moving Story Entertainment). Wild Bunch will release the film in German-speaking territories on July 11.

The drama follows the rise and fall of Joseph Goebbels in the final seven years as Adolf Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda.

While Hitler is at the height of his power, Goebbels is the creator of the pictures of the flag-waving crowds and antisemitic films “Jud Süß” and “Der ewige Jude...

Jessica Hausner on the references to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby: “The idea behind Hotel [starring Franziska Weisz] was to use all those classical horror film elements on purpose, to put them together but to not lift the secret.”

In the second instalment with Jessica Hausner on three of her feature films before her latest, the bewitching Club Zero (European Film Award Best Original Score to Markus Binder), we move the conversation to Hotel, starring Franziska Weisz with Birgit Minichmayr (Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon) and Lovely Rita with Barbara Osika as Rita, Wolfgang Kostal and Karina Brandlmayer as her parents, and Peter Fiala as her man of interest. The two films have the costumes, as always, designed by Tanja Hausner, cinematography by Martin Gschlacht, sound design by Erik Mischijew (Maren Ade’s multiple European Film...

Germany’s Beta Cinema has racked up multiple territory deals for its Joseph Goebbels biopic Führer and Seducer ahead of the film’s premiere at the European Film Market in Berlin later this week. Beta signed all-rights territorial deals with Spain (A Contracorriente), Portugal (Films4You), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Benelux (Dutch Film Works), Czech Republic (Donart Film), former Yugoslavia (Discovery) Japan (At Entertainment) and Australia & New Zealand (Moving Story Entertainment) for the feature. Wild Bunch will release the film in the German-speaking territories.

Directed by filmmaker/writer/historian Joachim A. Lang, who helmed 2018’s Mack The Knife — Brecht’s Threepenny Film with Lars Eidinger, Führer and Seducer stars Robert Stadlober as Goebbels, Austrian actor Fritz Karl (Sisi) as Adolf Hitler and Franziska Weisz (The Swarm) as Goebbels’ wife Magda. Stadlober also stars in Josef Hader’s Panorama title Andrea Gets A Divorce, which will have its world premiere at the Berlinale this year.

Exclusive: Beta Cinema has unveiled a raft of key territory pre-sales for Joachim A. Lang’s Joseph Goebbels biopic Führer and Seducer ahead of its market premiere at the EFM this week.

The company has sealed deals to Spain (A Contracorriente), Portugal (Films4You), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Benelux (Dutch Film Works), Czech Republic (Donart Film), former Yugoslavia (Discovery) Japan (At Entertainment) and Australia & New Zealand (Moving Story Entertainment).

Wild Bunch will release the film in German-speaking territories.

Führer and Seducer follows Goebbels in his last seven years at Adolf Hitler’s side, as his Minister of Propaganda.

While Hitler is at the height of his power, Goebbels is the creator of the pictures of the flag-waving crowds and anti-Semitic films “Jud Süß” and “Der ewige Jude”, priming the German people for the mass murder of the Jews.

The drama follows Goebbels as he then attempts to whip up continued support for...

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at 9:00 Pm on the CW, “The Swarm” brings viewers its eighth episode, succinctly titled “Episode 8.” The latest installment continues to unravel the show’s mysteries.

In this episode, a character named Mifune arrives via helicopter to inspect the research results aboard the Thorvaldson. This visit holds great significance as it may provide crucial insights into the enigmatic swarm of creatures that has been central to the series.

Meanwhile, the storyline delves into the challenges faced by a character named Charlie. Confronted with a seemingly impossible situation, Charlie is compelled to make a significant decision, one that appears to be made in isolation, described as a “lonely decision.”

As “The Swarm” unfolds, it maintains its gripping narrative and suspenseful elements, keeping the audience eagerly awaiting each new episode. Tune in to see how the characters navigate the complex and mysterious world of the show.

Release Date & Time:...

Join the adventure in Episode 7 of “The Swarm” on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 9:00 Pm on The CW. On this thrilling journey, the Thorvaldson heads towards the Arctic as Leon and Crowe set out to find a way to communicate with the mysterious Yrr.

In this episode, diving robotics expert Luther Roscovitz and Charlie take a submarine into the deep waters, delving into the unknown depths of the sea. Their exploration promises to reveal secrets hidden beneath the surface.

But the excitement doesn’t end there. Alicia Delaware, a member of the team, notices something unusual – a strange glow in the pool. What could this mysterious phenomenon mean for the crew and their mission?

“The Swarm” continues to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as it unravels the mysteries of the deep sea and the intriguing Yrr. Don’t miss this captivating episode that promises more adventure and discovery.

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 9:00 Pm on CW, viewers can catch the latest episode of “The Swarm,” titled “Episode 6.” In this episode, Charlie and Sigur make their way back to Kiel. Meanwhile, a crucial Un meeting takes place in Geneva, where Dr. Roche delivers a warning about a potential global threat to drinking water supplies.

As the storyline unfolds, viewers can expect to witness the ongoing developments in the show’s narrative. “The Swarm” has been keeping audiences engaged with its intriguing plotline centered around environmental and ecological challenges.

In this episode, the focus is on the characters’ return to Kiel and the critical meeting in Geneva, where Dr. Roche’s prediction could have far-reaching implications. As the drama continues to unfold, viewers are encouraged to tune in and follow the story’s progression.

For those who have been following “The Swarm” and its exploration of ecological issues, this episode...

On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 9:00 Pm, CW will air the fifth episode of “The Swarm,” titled “Episode 5.” This episode continues to follow the scientific investigation into a mysterious bacterium found in crabs that have invaded coastlines worldwide.

In this installment, Dr. Roche makes a crucial discovery, detecting the same bacterium in crabs from various parts of the globe. Meanwhile, Professor Lehmann delivers unsettling news to Sigur. As the intrigue deepens, Tina persuades Sigur to join her on a trip to Geneva. Their mission: to investigate whether ice worms, similar to the mysterious bacterium, have been discovered in other seas.

“The Swarm” is a captivating series that delves into the scientific exploration of a global ecological crisis. With each episode, the mystery surrounding these invasive species unravels further, keeping viewers engaged and eager to learn more about the unfolding scientific discoveries. Don’t miss the next installment of “The Swarm” on CW.

On Tuesday, 3rd October 2023, at 9:00 Pm on CW, viewers can catch Season 1, Episode 4 of “The Swarm.” In this episode, titled “Episode 4,” Dr. Roche plays a crucial role by providing information to a commission about the urgent situation on the French Atlantic coast.

The episode also follows the journey of Sigur and Tina, who return to the Thorvaldson to conduct a survey of the seabed. Their mission is to assess the presence and spread of ice worms in the area. As they explore, they make a discovery that the ice worms have continued to expand their territory.

“The Swarm” is a series that focuses on the escalating challenges posed by ice worms and their impact on various aspects of life. It’s a straightforward and informative show that explores the consequences of this natural phenomenon in a clear and accessible way.

Tune in to “The Swarm: Episode 4” to learn more...

Vulture Watch

Something is looking for a bit of payback. Has The Swarm TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on The CW? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of The Swarm, season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?  

What's This TV Show About?

A science fiction series airing on The CW television network, The Swarm TV show stars Alexander Karim, Cécile de France, Leonie Benesch, Joshua Odjick, Takehiro Hira, Krista Kosonen, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, Barbara Sukowa, Oliver Masucci, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Eidin Jalali, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Takuya Kimura, Jack Greenlees, Dutch Johnson, Franziska Weisz, Lydia Wilson, Andrea Guo, Claudia Jurt, Elizabeth Kinnear, and David Vormweg. In the story, strange...

The Swarm TV series was produced overseas and was the most expensive German TV production (produced in English) of all time. Unfortunately, expense doesn't always translate into big ratings. The CW is now focusing on airing acquired and low-cost programming and has pulled shows that have drawn low ratings. Even if a second season is made, there's no guarantee that the network will pick it up. Will The Swarm be cancelled or renewed? Stay tuned.

A science fiction series, The Swarm TV show stars Alexander Karim, Cécile de France, Leonie Benesch, Joshua Odjick, Takehiro Hira, Krista Kosonen, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, Barbara Sukowa, Oliver Masucci, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Eidin Jalali, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Takuya Kimura, Jack Greenlees, Dutch Johnson, Franziska Weisz, Lydia Wilson, Andrea Guo, Claudia Jurt, Elizabeth Kinnear, and David Vormweg. In the story, strange things are happening in the world’s oceans -- whales are destroying boats,...

A mysterious force is at work in the first season of the The Swarm TV show on The CW. As we all know, Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether a TV show like The Swarm is cancelled or renewed for season two. Unfortunately, most of us do not live in Nielsen households. Because many viewers feel frustrated when their viewing habits and opinions aren't considered, we invite you to rate all of the first season episodes of The Swarm here.

A science fiction series on The CW, The Swarm TV show stars Alexander Karim, Cécile de France, Leonie Benesch, Joshua Odjick, Takehiro Hira, Krista Kosonen, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, Barbara Sukowa, Oliver Masucci, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Eidin Jalali, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Takuya Kimura, Jack Greenlees, Dutch Johnson, Franziska Weisz, Lydia Wilson, Andrea Guo, Claudia Jurt, Elizabeth Kinnear, and David Vormweg.

Network: The CW

Episodes: Ongoing (hour)

Seasons: Ongoing

TV show dates: September 12, 2023 -- present

Series status: Has not been cancelled

Performers include: Alexander Karim, Cécile de France, Leonie Benesch, Joshua Odjick, Takehiro Hira, Krista Kosonen, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, Barbara Sukowa, Oliver Masucci, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Eidin Jalali, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Takuya Kimura, Jack Greenlees, Dutch Johnson, Franziska Weisz, Lydia Wilson, Andrea Guo, Claudia Jurt, Elizabeth Kinnear, and David Vormweg.

TV show description:      

A science fiction series, The Swarm TV show is based on the novel by Frank Schätzing and was the most expensive German TV production of all time.

In the story, strange things are happening in the world's oceans -- whales are destroying boats, deep sea crabs are attacking beaches, mussels are blocking container ships, and...

The Swarm‘s already been released internationally, but now U.S. audiences will have the opportunity to watch the dramatic thriller beginning September 12, 2023 on The CW. The network picked up the event series to help fill a gap in a primetime lineup that once was packed with comic book-inspired action-dramas.

Episode one was directed by Luke Watson and written by Steven Lally, Marissa Lestrade, Chris Lunt, and Michael A. Walker. New episodes of the eight-episode ecological thriller will air on Tuesdays at 9pm Et/Pt.

Based on Frank Schätzing’s bestselling novel, The Swarm stars Alexander Karim as Dr. Sigur Johanson, Cécile de France as Dr. Cécile Roche, Leonie Benesch as Charlie Wagner, Joshua Odjick as Leon Anawak, Takehiro Hira as Riku Sato, and Krista Kosonen as Tina Lund. Rosabell Laurenti Sellers plays Alicia Delaware, Barbara Sukowa is Professor Katharina Lehmann, Oliver Masucci is Jasper Alban, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf is Luther Roscowitz,...

Austrian television is awash with crime, mystery and historical drama, and the country’s biggest hits and new productions are heading to MipTV.

Among this year’s most anticipated titles is the upcoming “Kafka,” starring Swiss actor Joel Basman as the famed Bohemian writer.

The six-part series is currently shooting in Vienna and Salzburg and is set to premiere on Austrian pubcaster Orf and Germany’s Ard early next year, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death.

“Kafka” is produced by Ard, Orf and John Lueftner and David Schalko’s Vienna-based Superfilm. Schalko is directing and co-writing the series with bestselling author and screenplay writer Daniel Kehlmann (“Measuring the World”), based on the Kafka biography by Reiner Stach, who is also

advising the production.

Sold internationally by Orf-Enterprise, the public broadcaster’s commercial subsidiary, the series’ ensemble cast includes David Kross (“Davos”), Nicholas Ofczarek (“Pagan Peak”) and Liv Lisa Fries...

Above: Little JoeJessica Hausner is one of the great observers in modern cinema. The human body and its roots and tendrils are examined as if in a nature documentary while circumstances become outrageous: The faces of her heroines, the slow body language meant to mask an internal longing and anxiousness, the minute changes in expressions, the cracking of a voice. The world suddenly becomes too small for her characters and we watch as they try to breathe. Hausner began by observing young Germans and their first brushes with the thorniness of adult life and its inherent violence. In her shorts Flora (1995), Inter-View (1999), and her first feature Lovely Rita (2001), she shows people who seem like they want to claw their way out of their cramped surroundings or even out of their own skin. In 2004’s Hotel, her aesthetic playbook was completely rewritten. Suddenly a clinical stillness and a nagging, asymmetrical design...

Originally premiering at the 2014 Berlin Film Festival, where it won Best Screenplay and a Jury Prize, Dietrich Bruggemann’s Stations of the Cross is one of the more underrated foreign theatrical releases of 2015. Receiving a paltry two week theatrical run in one theater at the end of July, the title didn’t find much of an audience, pulling in about fifteen hundred dollars. Though championed by director Paul Schrader, the title receives an equally demure DVD release and it will depend on word of mouth to direct more energy towards the complex drama.

With her family participating as members of a traditional and ultra-conservative Christian congregation called Society of Saint Paul, fourteen year old Maria (Lea van Acken) begins to find herself in rather a tough situation. Brainwashed against the demonic influence of rock, pop, and soul music, we meet her with a group of students being pressed aggressively in...

The Road to Hell: Brueggemann’s Apprehensive Examination of Blind Faith

Premiering at the 2014 Berlin Film Festival, where it snagged the Ecumenical Jury Prize as well as Best Script, Stations of the Cross is Daniel Brueggemann’s fourth film, an icy depiction of faith-based agonizing. In the fine tradition of Ulrich Seidl’s dark tragicomedies dealing with religious fanaticism, the German filmmaker concocts a formidable denunciation of such archaic and ultimately dangerous belief systems, made all the more surprising considering the director’s general penchant for comedy in previous features. Named for the Via Crucis, Latin for the series of fourteen images of Jesus Christ on day of his crucifixion, the film is divided into the same number of chapters charting its protagonists ‘sublime’ sacrificial journey.

With her family participating as members of a traditional and ultra-conservative Christian congregation called Society of Saint Paul, fourteen year old Maria (Lea van...

Stars: Lucie Aron, Anna Brüggemann, Michael Kamp, Moritz Knapp, Birge Schade, Florian Stetter, Sven Taddicken, Lea van Acken, Franziska Weisz | Written by Anna Brüggemann | Directed by Dietrich Brüggemann

Maria, fourteen years of age, just wants to be a good Catholic. Her family is part of a fundamentalist Catholic community who try to live in a modern world whilst dedicating their lives to their religion. She wants live a life without sin, sacrifice everything for those around her and avoid the sinful temptations of the Devil. Her biggest dream is to be a saint and show God that she loves him the most. Unfortunately, her troubled family life, bullying, school and a boy named Christian get in the way of her perfect dream but even they won’t stop her from reaching her place in heaven.

Stations of the Cross is a German film which deals with radical faith and religious devotion.

Stations of the Cross

Written by Dietrich Brüggemann and Anna Brüggemann

Directed by Dietrich Brüggemann

Germany, 2014

Dietrich Brüggemann’s Stations of the Cross is both an indictment of fundamentalist Catholicism and a testament to the enduring value of faith. The title comes from the traditional Christian devotion, which involves meditating upon the key scenes of Christ’s suffering and death. Structured rigorously around this concept, the film is divided in 14 self-contained chapters, each representing a different station and filmed in a continuous long take. It follows its teenage protagonist Maria (Lea van Acken) as she progresses through the stations, gaining an increasingly fanatical perspective on what it means to follow Christ.

The opening scene, titled ‘Jesus is condemned to death’, is an extended conversation between a priest (Michael Kamp) and his students. It’s a necessary and engaging exposition, establishing the key tenets of Maria’s faith and the spiritual...

Starred Up | Labor Day | Yves Saint Laurent | Gbf | The Robber | The Machine | Salvo | The Unknown Known | A Long Way Down

Starred Up (18)

(David Mackenzie, 2013, UK) Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend. 106 mins

We've seen enough prison movies to know the drill, but this is closer to A Prophet than The Great Escape – a bracing mix of brutal thriller, institutional critique and complex character drama. Conviction is key, both in the day-to-day details and the natural performances, particularly O'Connell – a young offender violent enough to be housed with the grown-ups, including his own father. It feels like things could kick off with every scene.

Labor Day (12A)

(Jason Reitman, 2013, Us) Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith. 111 mins

The Juno director tries nuanced domestic drama – and it doesn't really suit him. Erotic tremors are a given when Brolin's escaped convict shacks up with Winslet's lonely single mum, but you'll need to park your disbelief.

The opening sequence to Dietrich Brüggemann’s Stations of the Cross initially appears as being almost light, as we witness a priest preaching an intransigent, fundamental strand of Catholicism to group of impressionable children a week before their confirmation. With relatively light-hearted dialogue implemented, it’s a scene that though appearing harmless on the surface, sets the precedence for what is a dark and twisted tale. It’s a sequence we refer to throughout the rest of this picture, as the somewhat amusing opening soon becomes a distant memory as we head into disturbing territory, as the impact of this initial indoctrination proves to be considerably detrimental.

One of the young children sitting around the table during the opening scene, is the 14 year old Maria (Lea van Acken), who devoutly pledges her life to Jesus, determined to make substantial sacrifices to guarantee her a place in heaven. Teased at school,...

Joining the titles already announced—including films by Alain Resnais and Dominik Graf—the following films complete the lineup for the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival's Competition section.

Bai Ri Yan Huo (Black Coal, Thin Ice)

People’s Republic of China

By Yinan Diao (Night Train, Uniform)

With Fan Liao, Lun Mei Gwei, Xuebing Wang

World premiere

Boyhood

USA

By Richard Linklater (Before Midnight, Me & Orson Welles)

With Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater

International premiere

Chiisai Ouchi (The Little House)

Japan

By Yoji Yamada (Tokyo Family, About Her Brother)

With Takako Matsu, Haru Kuroki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Chieko Baisho

International premiere

Historia del miedo (History of Fear)

Argentina / Uruguay / Germany / France

By Benjamin Naishtat - feature debut

With Jonathan Da Rosa, Claudia Cantero, Mirella Pascual, Cesar Bordon, Tatiana Gimenez

World premiere

Jack

Germany

By Edward Berger

With Ivo Pietzcker, Georg Arms, Luise Heyer, Vincent Redetzki, Jacob Matschenz,...

Richard Linklater’s Boyhood to compete for the Golden Bear; Beauty and the Beast, starring Vincent Cassel and Léa Seydoux, to play out of competition.

The 64th Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 6-16) has added 15 titles to its Competition programme, completing the line-up of 23 films - of which 20 will vye for the Golden Bear and Silver Bears.

The programme includes 18 world premieres and three feature debuts.

The line-up includes the international premiere of Boyhood, from Before Midnight director Richard Linklater. The film, which will premiere at Sundance, was shot over short periods from 2002 to 2013 and covers 12 years in the life of a family, featuring Mason and his sister Samantha. Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater star.

World premieres include In Order of Disappearance, directed by Hans Petter Moland, which stars Stellan Skarsgård as a snow plough driver whose son’s sudden death puts him in the middle of a drug war between theNorwegian mafia and the...

Your Weekly Source for the Newest Releases to Blu-Ray Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Attack On Leningrad (2009)

Synopsis: When in 1941 Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, their troops quickly besieged Leningrad. Foreign journalists are evacuated but one of them, Kate Davies, is presumed dead and misses the plane. Alone in the city she is helped by Nina Tsvetnova a young and idealist police officer and together they will fight for their own survival and the survival of the people in the besieged Leningrad. (blu-ray.com)

Special Features: Unknown.

Baaria (2009)

Synopsis: Peppino, the nickname of the boy at the story’s heart, is a tough little kid in the 1930s, used to the rough-and-tumble world of Baaria (local slang for Tornatore’s native Bagheria), a hot and dusty Sicilian village with one main street. His adventures are many and his memories singular: men gambling in the local square, goats eating his schoolbooks, and...

The Robber

Directed by Benjamin Heisenberg

Written by Benjamin Heisenberg and Martin Prinz

Germany, 2010

Benjamin Heisenberg’s The Robber will never be accused of being too obvious. In fact, it’s a film that begs the question, ‘how much information is too little information?’

Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) robs banks. He also runs marathons. He’s quite good at both though his perpetually stoic demeanor belies any internal excitement. Director Heisenberg juxtaposes kinetically shot chase sequences that would make Peter Yates proud, with quiet, vague moments alone with Johann. Upon his release from prison Johann meets an old acquaintance, Erika (Franziska Weisz). He moves into her house and they quickly begin an affair. How he knew Erika, why she is attracted to him, whether he actually cares for her – all questions are left for us to decide and entirely without hint.

The Robber finds a comparison in another German existential film,...

The stoic, determined , enigmatic loner has been the subject of many thrillers and action films. On either side of the the law, the single-minded protagonist has been a fixture in cinema perhaps best exemplified in the sixties and seventies movies of actors such as Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson. In the new film The Robber we get to see a character based on a real person from the Austrian director Benjamin Heisenberg.

We first observe Johann Rettenberger ( Andreas Lust ) running in circles around a small patch of grass. Soon we learn that he is in prison. Taking up most of the space in his small cell is a electric treadmill, which he immediately puts to use. Johann meets with his parole officer prior to his imminent release. Thr officer wants to make sure that he has a plan for the outside and does not become part of another bank robbing gang.

"What makes Johann run — and rob?" asks Melissa Anderson in the Voice. "Benjamin Heisenberg's second feature is as taut, lean, and fleet as its title character, played by Andreas Lust and based on the real-life Johann Kastenberger, who was both Austria's most-wanted bank robber of the 1980s and a champion marathoner. Writing the script with Martin Prinz, who adapted his own 2005 novel about the notorious criminal, Heisenberg forgoes backstory and psychological explanation, structuring his film as a series of adrenaline spikes."

"Lust's character in The Robber is familiar from European crime movies," suggests Noel Murray at the Av Club. "He's the stoic loner who doesn't say much, lest he inadvertently reveal some kind of motivation. When he robs banks, he wears a thin mask that doesn't look all that different from his face, and when he goes on a date with his caseworker, Franziska Weisz, he's more amused by...

The Robber

Directed by Benjamin Heisenberg

Written by Benjamin Heisenberg and Martin Prinz

Germany, 2010

Benjamin Heisenberg’s The Robber will never be accused of being too obvious. In fact, it’s a film that begs the question, ‘how much information is too little information?’

Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) robs banks. He also runs marathons. He’s quite good at both though his perpetually stoic demeanor belies any internal excitement. Director Heisenberg juxtaposes kinetically shot chase sequences that would make Peter Yates proud, with quiet, vague moments alone with Johann. Upon his release from prison Johann meets an old acquaintance, Erika (Franziska Weisz). He moves into her house and they quickly begin an affair. How he knew Erika, why she is attracted to him, whether he actually cares for her – all questions are left for us to decide and entirely without hint.

The Robber finds a comparison in another German existential film,...

It's almost as if the protagonist would say "The devil made me do it" if he were called upon to explain why he ran marathons and pulled a string of bank robberies when he was not enthusiastically training. "The Robber," filmed in Vienna and directed by Benjamin Heisenberg from a novel by Martin Prinz, is based on the true story of Johann Kastenberger. Kastenberger set national records in running marathons while in his spare time he robbed banks-not because he wanted money but because of a compulsion. His bank robbing and his running are both irrational, nor can society explain the man away by looking at his background. No background information is provided, and none is necessary. The fascination of the movie about Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) comes from his compulsive physical activity and his affair with Erika (Franziska Weisz), a woman whose lust that brings him into contact with...

German filmmaker Benjamin Heisenberg has caught American audiences attention with his new thrilling new film called "The Robber." Based off the true story of Johann Rettenberger, his new written and directed tale showcases a cast that includes Andreas Lust, Franziska Weisz and Florian Wotruba.A champion marathoner leads a double life as a serial bank robber, sprinting between fixes (and away from police cavalcades) as many as three times a day. Based on the real-life story of Austria's most-wanted bank robber of the 1980s, Benjamin Heisenberg's thriller is a lean, visceral study of pathological compulsion, featuring a riveting central performance by Andreas Lust (Revanche)."The Robber" will finally step out of the film festival circuit and into limited theaters on April 29th. Source: Apple Trailers...

The Robber is a adrenaline pumping heist film that chronicles the infamous true life crime spree of Austrian marathon runner ‘Pump-gun Ronnie’ who on an endorphin rush takes down several banks solely by himself. Interestingly enough director Benjamin Heisenberg opts for a minimalistic approach to plot which make the film feel like a mix between two different kinds of movie. On one hand, you have the hardened criminal lifestyle that Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) finds himself in the middle of contrasted by a fairly mundane existence. This in turn gives meaning to his addict fueled impromptu robberies which are really what is at the heart of this film. In an oddly restrained portrait of a conflicted criminal, The Robber delivers a sense of dread as a human display of fireworks slowly dies out.

Our introduction to Johann is delivered in a single tracking shot as he runs laps in an...

Is there anything in moviedom more consistently frustrating than the "arthouse thriller"? 

I'm not talking about films created as commercial thrillers and subsequently embraced by cineastes. I'm referring to dramas, and sometimes romances, that are so "nuanced" that they risk putting audiences to sleep, and so cover for themselves by including watered-down tropes from more populist, engaging fare. A repentant serial killer retires to an Alpine village to collect pension checks and butterflies. A kidnapper adopts a puppy and we're meant to contrast his loving treatment of it with his callous disregard for young human beings. You know the type of bastardized genre I'm referring to--the promise of full-on action or suspense is always lurking there as a kind of tease, but the movie gets away with never fully delivering the goods because its high-minded goals are thought to elevate it beyond that obligation. 

Well, I'm happy to report to you that The Robber,...

This is the review of The Robber (Der Räuber), starring Andreas Lust, Franziska Weisz, Markus Schleinzer, Roman Kettner, Hannelore Klauber-laursen and Tabea Werich, directed by Benjamin Heisenberg. This film is very well constructed; it feels that the director’s intention was to play the film out according to Rettenberger’s heartbeat, as he runs the camera and cutting gets faster and as things slow, as does the editing. Similar in style and tone to Austrian director Michael Haneke, Heisenberg has created a character study which intrigues beyond curiosity. Indeed you begin to wonder what will happen to this character, where is he going and what will the outcome be? In the role of Rettenberger, Lust creates a character that is void of emotion, never smiling even when he wins a marathon or robs a bank. It is a very convincing performance and is aided by the empathy we have for his ex-girlfriend,...

The Diagonale Festival is over and that means the Austrian Film Prize for Best Feature Film was handed to Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel's La Pivellina - the portrait has been on a successful run picking up several festival awards and special mentions (see trailer). - Austria Film Scene: Local The Diagonale Festival is over and that means the Austrian Film Prize for Best Feature Film was handed to Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel's La Pivellina - the portrait has been on a successful run picking up several festival awards and special mentions (see trailer). Hana, dul, sed … by Brigitte Weich and Karin Macher won Best Documentary. The doc is about three female North Korean soccer players and their life after they missed the qualification for the Olympic Games. Andreas Lust and Franziska Weisz won Best Actor/Actress for The Robber. Kick Off by Hüseyin...

Austria Film Scene: Local The Diagonale Festival is over and that means the Austrian Film Prize for Best Feature Film was handed to Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel's La Pivellina - the portrait has been on a successful run picking up several festival awards and special mentions (see trailer). Hana, dul, sed … by Brigitte Weich and Karin Macher won Best Documentary. The doc is about three female North Korean soccer players and their life after they missed the qualification for the Olympic Games. Andreas Lust and Franziska Weisz won Best Actor/Actress for The Robber. Kick Off by Hüseyin Tabak won the Audience Award and the youth Jury Award. The film is centered around three players of the Austrian National Team for the homeless soccer World Cup and their struggle to get back into society (German-language trailer) - the film was released last month. Pepperminta by Pipilotti Rist is...

Berlinale has unleashed the first few titles from its 2010 line-up. The recently announced titles aren’t anything to write home about but I’m sure we’ll be seeing a few more announcements (including some titles we can get excited about) over the next few weeks.

First titles after the break.

Bal (Honey) Turkey / Germany

by Semih Kaplanoglu (Süt/Milk, Yumurta/Egg, Melegin Düsüsü/Angel’s Fall)

with Bora Altas, Erdal Besikcioglu, Tülin Özen, Alev Ucarer, Ayse Altay

World premiere

Der Räuber (The Robber) Austria / Germany

by Benjamin Heisenberg (Sleeper, Max-Ophuels-Preis 2006)

with Andreas Lust, Franziska Weisz

World premiere

My Name Is Khan India

by Karan Johar

with Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol

Out of competition

Na Putu (On the Path) Bosnia and Herzegovina / Austria / Germany / Croatia

by Jasmila Zbanic (Grbavica, Golden Bear 2006)

with Zrinka Cvitesic (Shooting Star 2010), Leon Lucev, Ermin Bravo, Mirjana Karanovic

World premiere

Shekarchi (The Hunter) Germany / Iran

by...