Two prison films are the top favorites for the Austrian Film Prize 2022: “Große Freiheit” by director Sebastian Meise also received ten nominations, as did Arman T. Riahi’s “Fuchs im Bau”. It was followed on Thursday by Stefan Ruzowitzky’s thriller “Hinterland” and the literary adaptation “Schachnovelle” by Philipp Stölzl, each with six chances to win. The award ceremony will take place on June 30th in Grafenegg.
With “Große Freiheit” about the criminalization of homosexuals in post-war Germany, which is the subject of a love story in prison, Meise was already successful in Cannes last year and won the jury prize in the “Un certain regard” series. The drama has been nominated in almost all of the top categories at the Film Awards, including best feature film, best director, best screenplay and twice for best leading actor (Georg Friedrich and Franz Rogowski). The mentions for “Fuchs im Bau” about a prison teacher in a juvenile detention center are even more widespread. The big winner of the Max Ophüls Prize 2021 is named as best film, for director and screenplay as well as for all actor categories – including the two main actors Maria Hofstätter and Aleksandar Petrović.
“Hinterland” is also doing well
Stefan Ruzowitky’s neo-expressionist thriller “Hinterland” is also doing well, and the team can hope for best camera, best make-up and best production design. However, the big categories are missing here, in contrast to the “Schachnovelle”, which could bring Birgit Minichmayr a prize for best actress. Stölzl’s branch adaptation with two supporting roles (Maresi Riegner, Lukas Miko) is also in the running and was named for camera, make-up and costume design.
Others complete the round of nominations for the best feature film: In addition to “Große Freiheit” and “Fuchs im Bau”, “Me, We” about the encounter between refugees and local residents by director David Clay Diaz and “Moneyboys” by CB Yi made it. He took male prostitution in China as the starting point for a love drama and can also hope for directing and screenplay awards. Among the leading actresses, Julia Franz Richter (“1 Fall Appointment”) is the third in the league alongside Minichmayr and Hofstätter.
600 Academy members decide
The approximately 600 members of the Austrian Film Academy decide who is ultimately allowed to accept a trophy. The gala is taking place this year in Grafenegg, which alternates annually with the federal capital. Director Clara Stern, who chose “All Together Now” as the motto, is responsible for staging the evening. “It will be as a friend described me: Very serious at times, but with a great need to have fun and do nonsense,” she promised. A reunion with the winners is also planned for autumn, when the winners in the feature film, documentary film and short film categories are shown in selected art house cinemas as part of the “Filmpreis on Tour” campaign.
During the presentation of the nominees, reference was often made to the financial situation in the industry. From Secretary of State for Culture Andrea Mayer (Greens) to Chamber of Commerce President Harald Mahrer to the board of directors of the Film Academy, everyone agreed that last but not least, an incentive model was needed in Austria. Actress Verena Altenberger, who has been presiding over the Film Academy together with director Arash T. Riahi since November, emphasized: “I am convinced that films can change and improve the world. That is exactly why we need Austrian films.” (apa)