Four minutes for months of success
Four Minutes [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Chris Kraus – warmly received at festivals and other awards ceremonies – has found the same enthusiasm among German audiences.
The Lola favourite (eight nominations) at the German Film Awards, whose winners will be announced on May 4, has won four Bavarian Film Prizes, Best Film at the 2006 Reykjavik Film Festival and the FIPRESCI Prize at Sofia 2007, making it the most popular arthouse film of the year.
Released on February 1, the film attracted 250,000 filmgoers before the Easter weekend and currently has between 300,000 and 400,000 admissions (kino-zeit) for a small 70-screen release.
"The film is a hit title and will be around on screens for a long time to come," says Arne Höhne at German distribution outfit Piffl.
Set in a woman's prison, Four Minutes is the story of an 80-year old pianist and a violent yet highly gifted young woman – played superbly by Monica Bleibtreu and Hannah Herzsprung respectively – who try to team up the best they can.
Sales on the Kordes &Kordes Film production by Beta Cinema have been fruitful, with over 40 countries having snapped up the title to date.
The film's international career looks set for success, with the film opening in Italy in early May on, coincidentally, 40 screens.
(Translated from French)
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