Hamburg cleans up

"InInto the fate Diane Kruger truly plays the role of her life," says Maria Köpf, CEO of Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein. "She embodies the St Pauli beauty Katja in a way that leaves you speechless. Her ups and downs between grief, anger and revenge get under your skin and are high acting artistry. We are very proud of Diane Kruger, Fatih Akin and the whole team - also because we were able to accompany the making of the film from the very beginning. I am particularly pleased thatA Man of Integritythe new drama by Mohammad Rasoulof, was honoured at the film festival. The main prize in the 'Un Certain Regard' selection honours the work of a filmmaker who crosses borders: Rasoulof regularly manages to direct and sharpen our view of Iran with his films."

In Fatih Akin's thrillerInto the fate internationally renowned actress Diane Kruger plays Katja, a young mother who loses her husband and son in a bomb attack. The police catch two suspects: a young neo-Nazi couple. Katja wants justice - there is no alternative for her. The film was produced by bombero international and Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany in co-production with Macassar Productions, Pathé and corazón international. Most of the filming took place in Hamburg.

The dramaA Man of Integrity is Mohammad Rasoulof's sixth feature film. The director, who lives in Hamburg and Tehran, tells the story of goldfish farmer Reza, who lives with his wife and child in a remote Iranian village. Reza fights for his economic independence while a private company with close ties to the government and local authorities begins to take control of the region and displace the farmers and small owners. Shot independently and without Fundings, the film was supported by the FFHSH for its release in Cannes.

The 70th Cannes International Film Festival took place from 17 to 28 May 2017. This year, Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein once again presented itself at the joint stand of "Focus Germany", the association of the seven German film funding organisations, and "German Films" in the International Village. The "Un Certain Regard" ("A Special View") selection includes films in the programme that are too atypical for the main competition and whose makers are often little known. The main prize in this category is endowed with 30,000 euros.

Photo: Kurt Krieger / Hubert Boesl