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Durban Film Fest brings Germany to South Africa

Cape Town - The 38th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is set to captivate audiences with a German Focus, which features ten gripping films by some of Germany’s finest directors, a masterclass by German film industry professionals, as well as networking sessions with the cream of the international film industry crop.

Curated by Alex Moussa Sawadogo, the variety of the films on the lineup is set to keep audiences enthralled.

More about the films

Films such as The People vs Fritz Bauer - which relates to German history after the WWII and the role of the attorney of law Fritz Bauer in confronting the state with its political shortcomings.

Paula which recounts the journey of a well-known early 20th century painter, who discovered her artistic freedom in a more traditional Germany.

Goodbye Berlin a depiction of how the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany merged into one state, taking two young children as the protagonists of a road movie through former East Germany.

Greetings From Fukushima (which breaks the common stereotypes that surround Germans) will leave audiences with a better understanding of German history, culture and people.

While Goodbye Berlin ties in with this year’s overall festival theme, “Transit Tales”, All of a Sudden, Greetings From Fukushima, Paula and Karl Marx City speak to one of this year’s focus areas – women-led films.

International guests

DIFF audiences will have the chance to meet key people behind the productions.

Anand Batbileg and Tristan Göbel, two of the most promising talents in Germany’s film scene and the main actors of Goodbye Berlin will be in Durban for a Q&A following the German Gala screening of Goodbye Berlin at The Playhouse (Drama Theatre) on 16 July.

The award winning and family friendly film was made by prominent film maker Fatih Akin who recently presented his last film in Cannes. Tickets for the Gala Screening are available at Computicket.

Another confirmed DIFF guest is Doris Dörrie, director of Greetings From Fukushima. With her unmistakable way of storytelling, she has been one of the towering figures in German cinema since she stirred up the countries’ film scene in 1985 with the gender comedy Men

Christian Schwochow has been awarded for both his cinema and theatre work and will visit DIFF in his capacity as Director of Paula. Petra Epperlein will visit Durban as well to present the extraordinary documentary Karl Marx City, which is a highly personal cinematic journey into her childhood to find the truth about her late father’s suicide and his rumored past in the GDR’s secret service.

Directors Karin Steinberger (The Promise) and Stephan Rick (The Dark Side Of The Moon) will also be attending DIFF. 

The German Focus at DIFF 2017 is presented by German Films, the Goethe-Institut and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in South Africa in cooperation with DIFF. 

DIFF is one of Africa’s leading and longest running festivals, and runs from 13 to 23 July in Durban, South Africa. 
 
To find out more about the German Focus at DIFF, visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za
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