Kern

  • 97'
  • Austria
  • 2012
‘What kind of film are you actually making? Surely there’s no point?’ Peter Kern's blunt criticism in the opening scene of this documentary dedicated to him is certainly not the last he will express. Yet the makers, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, continue to sketch a portrait of the homosexual Austrian director/actor/writer/singer.
The more-than-obese Kern, who curses, groans and manipulates, is followed for 18 months - in his home, on the set and while he watches excerpts of his own work. ‘You’ll never see the real me’, he exclaims, but the camera captures revealing moments.
For instance, when he sobs as he watches a scene from his documentary Knutschen, kuscheln, jubilieren (1998). Or when, his gigantic body bared, he sings a song at first reluctantly but later with increasing conviction. The last scenes put everything else in a totally different light. Might Kern be right after all?

Directors
Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
Country of production
Austria
Year
2012
Festival Edition
IFFR 2013
Length
97'
Medium
DCP
Language
German
Producer
Ulrich Seidl
Production Company
Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion GmbH
Sales
Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion GmbH
Screenplay
Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
Cinematography
Harald Traindl
Editor
Birgit Bergmann, Nikolaus Eckhard
Sound Design
Severin Fiala
Website
http://www.facebook.com/kernfilm
Directors
Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
Country of production
Austria
Year
2012
Festival Edition
IFFR 2013
Length
97'
Medium
DCP
Language
German
Producer
Ulrich Seidl
Production Company
Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion GmbH
Sales
Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion GmbH
Screenplay
Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
Cinematography
Harald Traindl
Editor
Birgit Bergmann, Nikolaus Eckhard
Sound Design
Severin Fiala
Website
http://www.facebook.com/kernfilm