Bernhard is horrified to discover that his father visits a prostitute whom he calls ‘Lydia’, even though her name is really something else. Lydia is the name of his daughter, Bernhard’s sister. This worrying fact causes a series of events and revelations that make this apparently stable family burst apart.
The occasionally shocking issues in Sebastian Meise’s feature debut are worked out subtly, helped by the plausible reactions of all the relatives. For 24 hours, we follow the protagonists – father, mother and the adult son and daughter – from the moment when the dear son pulls the pin out of the news grenade. With minimal revelations and glimpses behind the veil around this apparently normal family, Meise maintains the tension in this nerve-wracking drama.
Still Life looks at the moral questions surrounding guilt, shame and how to come to terms with them. Even the smallest movements, the most usual situations and silences are filled with significance.
Film details
- Country of production
- Austria
- Year
- 2011
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2012
- Length
- 77'
- Medium/Format
- 35mm
