Two MOIN-funded films win in Locarno

There was an honourable mention for the medium-length filmFirst Time (THE TIME FOR ALL BUT SUNSET - VIOLET) by Hamburg filmmaker Nicolaas Schmidt and "Steakhouse" by Hamburg production company Fabian&Fred.

Helge AlbersCEO of MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "An intense drama about the dreariness of rural life from the perspective of a 24-year-old and her longing for more. I am very happy for the lead actress Saskia Rosendahl, the Hamburg production company Weydemann Bros, as well as the entire crew around Director and Script Writer Sabrina Sarabi. Saskia Rosendahl more than deserved the award and once again proved her great talent. Chapeau also to Indonesian Director Edwin and Fatih Akin's company bombero international, whose 'Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash' not only left one of the longest film titles, but also one of the most lasting impressions of the festival - and was awarded the Golden Leopard for Best International Film. Our congratulations also go to filmmaker Nicolaas Schmidt, who portrays our Hanseatic city in his very own and refreshing way in 'First Time', for which he received an honourable mention. A great Hamburg talent!"

More about the films Directors and Script Writer Sabrina Sarabi's dramaNo One's with the Calves was shown in this year's "Concorso Cineasti del presente" competition section. Based on the novel of the same name by Alina Herbing, the film tells the story of 24-year-old Christin, who lives on the farm of her long-time boyfriend Jan in the East German province. However, the spirit of optimism of the post-reunification years is long gone and Christin just wants to get away. The film had 16 shooting days in Schleswig-Holstein and two in Hamburg. Executive Producers are Weydemann Bros. who recently won countless awards with Systemsprenger and have already realised their feature film debut "Prélude" with Sabrina Sarabi. The leading roles are played by Saskia Rosendahl, Rick Okon and Godehard Giese. "No One's with the Calves" was supported by the MOIN Film Fund with 400,000 euros in production funding.

From the multi-award-winning Indonesian Director Edwin comes the action comedyVengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash. The film, based on a novel, is about the fearless fighter Kawir, whose raging urge to fight is based on a secret: his impotence. When he meets the strong female fighter Iteung, Ajo is not only defeated - he suddenly falls in love with her. Fatih Akin's company bombero international is the German co-producer of the film, which was awarded Best Film in the "Concorso internazionale" competition section. Part of the post production took place in Hamburg, the completion of the film was funded with 35,000 euros.

Hamburg filmmaker Nicolaas Schmidt gives us a round trip on Hamburg's U3 underground line with his medium-length filmFirst Time (THE TIME FOR ALL BUT SUNSET - VIOLET)which was shown in the competition section "Pardi di domani: Concorso internazionale" and received an honourable mention. Schmidt takes the audience on a somewhat different carousel ride through the Hanseatic city in the middle of the golden hour. A film that questions the narrative patterns of mainstream cinema with a wink. The film, produced by Anne Döring and Nicolaas Schmidt, received 40,000 euros in production funding.

The animated short film Steakhouse by Hamburg-based company Fabian&Fred was screened in the same section this year. Directors Špela Čadez's European co-production shows the invisibility of psychological violence in a couple's long-term relationship. The film was supported with 38,000 euros.

You can download a film still from "No One's with the Calves" here. Credits: Weydemann Bros / Max Preiss

Photos of the award winners can be found on theofficial website of the Locarno Film Festival.