Austrian Crime Drama “The ORF Country Crime Drama "The Silence of the Donkeys" Wins TV Film Award at TeleVisionale 2024″>Silence of the Donkeys” Wins Prestigious Award
The Austrian country crime drama “The Silence of the Donkeys” has added another accolade to its already impressive list. The film, the third installment in a popular ORF series, was recently awarded the “Best Television Film 2024” prize at the TeleVisionale Film and Series Festival Baden-Baden.
Continued Success for a Regional Hit
ORF program director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz expressed her delight at the win, stating: “The renewed award for our country crime series is impressive evidence of the strength and appeal of regional stories. The success shows that as a public broadcaster we can successfully build a bridge between regional authenticity and international relevance. My thanks go to the talented authors, directors and actors who make all of this possible with their skills and creativity.”
“The Silence of the Donkeys” follows on the heels of an extremely successful run for the series, which premiered in January with an average of 750,000 viewers and a 25 percent market share. Written, directed by, and starring Karl Markovics, the film has garnered critical acclaim and audience adoration.
More Rural Crime Thrills on ORF
Following the success of “Steirergift,” which premiered on ORF 1 on November 26th with an average of 811,000 viewers, ORF will continue to captivate audiences with more gripping tales set against the backdrop of Austria’s diverse landscapes. On December 3rd, “The Dead Man in the Gorge” starring Patricia Aulitzky and Dominik Raneburger, will premiere on ORF 1, with a preview on ORF ON on December 2nd. A week later, Hary Prinz and Anna Unterberger take on another rural mystery in a new “Styrian Murder” case with Tobias Moretti playing the role of the murdered fiancé’s father.
The family of the victim falls under suspicion as the storyline calls upon the investigative talents of Prinz and Unterberger. Finally, Maria Hofstätter stars as a retired investigator from the State Criminal Police Office in Upper Austria, who gets involved in a case when a young policewoman is murdered in no man’s land between Austria and the Czech Republic. The thrilling mystery will premiere on ORF 1 on December 17th and become available on ORF ON on December 16th.
What are the main themes of the “Silence of the Donkeys” series?
## Interview: “The Silence of the Donkeys” Wins Big!
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, program director at ORF, to discuss the exciting news of “The Silence of the Donkeys” winning ”Best Television Film 2024″ at the TeleVisionale Film and Series Festival Baden-Baden. Congratulations, Stefanie!
**Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz:** Thank you! We are thrilled with this recognition. It’s a real testament to the hard work and talent of everyone involved in the series.
**Interviewer:** This is the third installment in the “Silence of the Donkeys” series. What makes this series so successful, and what can viewers expect from this latest film?
**Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz:** I think viewers love the blend of mystery, beautiful Austrian scenery, and the heartwarming characters. The series follows a unique detective duo solving crimes in a charming rural setting. This latest film delves into a particularly intriguing case, forcing them to confront [pause for dramatic effect] a conspiracy that reaches far beyond their quiet village.
**Interviewer:** That sounds gripping! The series seems to be making waves not just in Austria, but internationally as well. How important is international recognition for ORF?
**Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz:** It’s incredibly important. While we are proud to serve our Austrian audience, sharing our stories with a wider world helps showcase the unique cultural landscape and creative talent we have here.
**Interviewer:** Well deserved recognition indeed! Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Stefanie, and congratulations again on this prestigious award.
**Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz:** Thank you!