With over 20 films, the international program this year at the 52nd Hof International Film Festival is as strong as ever. The films comes from 15 countries all over the world, including the USA, Great Britain, Israel, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Hungary, Brazil, South Africa and Turkey. In addition to films from renowned directors like Oscar®-winner László Nemes with SUNSET, who found great regard at the film festival in Venice, or Mia Hansen-Løve with MAYA and Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi with LES ESTIVANTS, there are many debut films and promising talents to discover. There is a contextual focus on the search for new ways of life, the coping with trauma and on interpersonal relationships within the family circle as well as with individual fellow human beings.
We would like to present a selection of the films of the international program:
SCARBOROUGH
by Barnaby Southcombe, GB
Two mismatched lovers arrive at the British seaside town of Scarborough, seeking an escape from the constraints of real life.
With Jodhi May, Jessica Barden, Jordan Bolger and many others
L'AFFAIRE MARVIN
by Lewis Eizykman, F
How could the disappearance of an ordinary cat lead to the biggest financial crisis of all times? This pseudo-documentary film goes in search of answers and depicts our society in the age of social media.
With Éric Chantelauze, Flavien Dareau, Jocelyne Vignon and many others
SEW THE WINTER TO MY SKIN
by Jahmil X. T. Qubeka, ZAF/D
The film follows the myth of the legendary black revolutionary leader John Kepe who lived in the mid-20th century in South Africa, at a time when Apartheid was already casting its shadow.
With Ezra Mabengeza, Peter Kurth, Kandyse McClure and many others
TO THE NIGHT
by Peter Brunner, USA/A
Norman, the only survivor of a horrible fire, tries to build a new life for his little family and leave the feelings of guilt behind him. But the past catches up with him.
With Caleb Landry Jones, Eléonore Hendricks, Christos Haas and many others
LOS SILENCIOS
by Beatriz Seigner, BRA/F/COL
A mother flees with her children from the Colombian armed conflict to an island in the middle of Amazonia. But then her missing husband reappears. A mysterious secret shrouds the island.
With Marleyda Soto, Enrique Diaz, Maria P. Tabares Pena, Adolfo Savilvino and many others
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME
by Marielle Heller, USA
After decades spent composing respectful profiles of successful women, Lee Israel finds herself out of step with emerging trends. Her finances have taken a nosedive. Lee begins selling stolen and forged correspondence of dead writers and actors. The film is based on a true story which came to light in 1993.
With Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Ben Falcone and many others
MARY SHELLEY
by Haifaa al-Mansour, GB/IRA/LUX
Mary is young, rebellious and prepared to conquer all constraints and conventions of her times. Fate leads the 16-year-old in 1814 to the famous romantic poet Percy Shelley, from whose shadow she escapes with her novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus.
With Elle Fanning, Douglas Booth, Tom Sturridge and many others.
MAYA
by Mia Hansen-Løve, F/D
Gabriel, a war correspondent in the Middle East, is released after being taken hostage. In an attempt to overcome his post-traumatic stress disorder, he travels to India to visit his godfather, and falls in love with his godfather’s daughter Maya. But his past continues to haunt him.
With Roman Kolinka, Aarshi Banerjee, Alex Descas and many others
LES ESTIVANTS
by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, F/I
Anna spends a few days with her daughter at a spacious estate on the French Riviera with her family. But behind the presumably good mood, there are secrets, expectations and fears, which each person has to come to terms with on their own.
With Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Pierre Arditi, Valeria Golino, Noémie Lvovsky and many others
CIAO CHÉRIE
by Nina Kusturica, A
After her husband leaves her, Larisa has to find her own way in her call shop, a place where the whole world comes together to make phone calls and wire money back home, and in the process, their life stories are revealed to Larisa.
With Nahoko Fort-Nishigami, Sikavi Agbogbe, Simonida Sellmovic and many others
AMANDA
by Mikhaël Hers, F
The 24-year-old David lives for the moment and makes ends meet with various little jobs. But his peaceful life comes to a screeching halt when his sister suddenly dies and leaves him to take care of his seven-year-old niece Amanda.
With Vincent Lacoste, Isaure Multrier, Stacy Martin, Greta Scacchi and many others
SUNSET
by László Nemes, Hun/F
Budapest, 1913. The young Iris comes to Budapest to work in the former hat shop of her deceased parents. But she doesn’t get the job. By coincidence she discovers that she has a brother and instead of leaving the city, she goes in search of her past.
With Juli Jakab, Vlad Ivanov, Evelin Dobos and any others
CLAIRE DARLING
by Julie Bertuccelli, F
On a beautiful summer’s day, Madame Claire wakes up in a small French village – convinced that today is her last day on earth.
With Catherine Deneuve, Alice Taglioni, Chiara Mastroianni, Samir Guesmi and many others
DER GAST
by Houchang Allahyari, A
A stately home in the Viennese suburbs. The spacious garden seems fossilized, as if time has stood still. Just like the family that lives in this house. But then a mysterious guest appears one day.
With Mehmet Soezer, Roya Mousavi, Doina Weber, Gregor Bloeb and many others
DIE RÜCKKEHR DES DAUMENS
by Flo Convey, A
Coach Steve, an ageing thumb wrestling trainer, is once again allowed to participate in a tournament after having being banned. As promising as his new protégé Klaus and his well-planned training sessions are, his eternal rival and adversary King Gustl and his protégé Cyborg brutally destroy all their hopes.
With Markus Giefing, Alexander Linhardt, Peter White and many others
TRANQUILLO
by Jonathan Jäggi, CH
Peter lives a slick urban life and organizes parties, until tinnitus unleashes self-destructive impulses and he must face his physical and mental limitations.
With Tobias Bienz, Sandra Zellweger, Joel Singh and many others
KING OF THIEVES
by James Marsh, GB
Retirement is for pensioners, at least that’s the way Brian Reader sees it. His old friends are in prison, his wife is six feet under, and the former thief has little more to do than complain about his eventless daily life. He’s itching to prove, just one more time, that he’s still got it.
With Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Jim Broadbent and many others
GLAUBENBERG / MY BROTHER, MY LOVE
by Thomas Imbach, CH
The love Lena feels for her brother Noah is more than sisterly love. To distract herself, she encourages Noah’s friend Enis. But the impossible love becomes an obsession.
With Zsofia Koros, Francis Meier, Milan Peschel, Bettina Stucky and many others
WORKING WOMAN
by Michal Aviad, ISR
Orna has to be the main breadwinner for her family because her husband struggles to keep his new restaurant afloat. While her boss appreciates and supports her, he also makes inappropriate advances…
With Liron Ben Shlush, Menasse Noy, Oshri Cohen and many others
NOAH WISE
by Ben Zuckert, USA
Saxophonist Noah Wise plays shows wherever he can in New York. As his quartet struggles to find success, he takes a job teaching elementary concert band. Along the way, he meets Rachel Byrd, a singer-songwriter.
With Mat Vairo, Raffaella Meloni, Kevin Kilner, Meg Gibson and many others
