In the shadow of Austrian masters like Michael Haneke and Ulrich Seidl, several of their compatriots turned into mature, secure and important auteurs with themes and styles all their own. One of them is Götz Spielmann. In October November, he shows his abilities as writer and director in a psychological Bergman-like family drama. It’s about the sisters Verena and Sonja Berger, beautifully played by Ursula Straus and Nora von Waldstätter. Verena has stayed in their native village where she runs the family guesthouse with her husband and child and her elderly father. Meanwhile she has an affair with the village doctor. Sonja is a successful actress in Berlin, which does not prevent her from being unhappy with her superficial roles and promiscuous lifestyle. When she comes home because of her father’s illness and the sisters are together again under one roof, a painful past filled with secrets comes to the surface.
Film details
Country of production
Austria
Year
2013
Festival edition
IFFR 2014
Length
116'
Medium/Format
DCP
Language
German
Premiere status
None
Director
Götz Spielmann
Producer
Bruno Wagner, Martin Gschlacht, Antonin Svoboda, Götz Spielmann