Strong presence for Swiss filmmaking at Max Ophuels Prize Film Festival 2010
13.01.2010
“Madly in Love”, Anna Luif’s second feature film (production: Topic Film, Zurich), will celebrate its premiere in the competition of the 31st Max Ophuels Prize Film Festival in Saarbrücken (January 18-24, 2010). Three Swiss film productions will be screened in the short film competition: Chris Niemeyer’s “Las Pelotas”; Felix von Muralt’s “Brandstifter”; and Irene Ledermann’s “Schonzeit”. The festival, which is devoted to the new generation of filmmakers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, will open with the comedy “Giulias Verschwinden” (T&C Films, Zurich) – with the film’s director Christoph Schaub and actress Sunnyi Melles in attendance.
The science fiction film “Cargo” by Ivan Engler and Ralph Etter (Atlantis Film, Ebikon) will be presented in the “Spektrum” section and thus screened for the first time in Germany, whereas Lutz Konermann’s drama “Der Fürsorger” (Fama Film, Zurich) and Wolfgang Panzer’s “Baba’s Song” (Vega Film, Zurich) will be presented at “Saarbrücker Premieres”. The 5-minute film “Perpetuum mobile” by Sebastian Kenney will be screened in the “(Über)Leben” short film series. In addition, the Saarbruecken Film Festival has invited two film classics: “Wachtmeister Zumbühl” by Urs Odermatt (1994), which will be screened in a film series devoted to the film’s leading actor, Michael Gwisdek. Michael Steiner’s “Mein Name ist Eugen” (2005) will be presented in the Children and Youth series.
Former winners of the Max Ophuels Prize include Swiss film directors Clemens Klopfenstein and Remo Legnazzi (“E Nacht lang Füürland”, 1982), Christoph Schaub (“Wendel”, 1988), Denis Rabaglia (“Grossesse nerveuse”, 1994), Jörg Helbling (“Der Nebelläufer”, 1996), Simon Aeby (“Three Below Zero”, 1999). Acting awards went to Michael Finger (“Utopia Blues”, 2002) and Johanna Bantzer (“Strähl”, 2004). Monetary prizes amounting to approximately 100,000 euros will be awarded at this year’s festival. Film director Thomas Imbach is the Swiss member of the jury.
Zurich, January 13, 2010
Former winners of the Max Ophuels Prize include Swiss film directors Clemens Klopfenstein and Remo Legnazzi (“E Nacht lang Füürland”, 1982), Christoph Schaub (“Wendel”, 1988), Denis Rabaglia (“Grossesse nerveuse”, 1994), Jörg Helbling (“Der Nebelläufer”, 1996), Simon Aeby (“Three Below Zero”, 1999). Acting awards went to Michael Finger (“Utopia Blues”, 2002) and Johanna Bantzer (“Strähl”, 2004). Monetary prizes amounting to approximately 100,000 euros will be awarded at this year’s festival. Film director Thomas Imbach is the Swiss member of the jury.
Zurich, January 13, 2010