Ten months after its German theatrical release in April 2024, the comedy “Surviving Brandenburg” (German title “Überleben in Brandenburg”) celebrates its international premiere at the Sedona International Film Festival (SIFF), Sedona, Arizona, USA.
The Sedona International Film Festival (SIFF) is an annual film festival in Sedona, Arizona, founded in 1994. It will take place for the 31st time from February 22 to March 3, 2025, and will present a diverse selection of independent films from around the world, including feature films, documentaries, short films, animations, and foreign language works. Along with the film screenings, the festival offers workshops, panel discussions, and seminars that provide valuable educational and exchange opportunities for both filmmakers and the audience.
Over the years, SIFF has become a significant platform for independent filmmakers and attracts approximately 10,000 visitors annually. It has been recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “20 Great Film Festivals in Vacation Destinations”. The festival regularly honors prominent figures in the film industry; previous guests include Pierce Brosnan, Nicolas Cage and Richard Dreyfuss, among others. With its commitment to promoting independent films and providing a forum for creative expression, SIFF has firmly established itself on the international festival scene.
The film “Surviving Brandenburg” is the posthumous work of director and actor Zoltan Paul, whose friend Ben von Grafenstein co-directed the comedy. The film tells the story of a discarded “best-ager director” (Zoltan Paul) who tries to prevent a right-wing mayor in his village of 120 souls. Topical, meaningful and hilarious! Other roles are played by Adele Neuhauser (Emma Meisel), Dietrich Hollinderbäumer (Fritz), Joachim Paul Assböck (Weidland), Laszlo I. Kish (Karcsi), Sabine Waibel (Lisa), Werner Eng (Mario), Ralph Herforth (Clemens), Attila Georg Borlan (Attila) and Gisa Flake (Chantal). The comedy was produced by Clementina Hegewisch and Sandra Maischberger.
The Sedona International Film Festival will show the film in two screenings on February 25 and 27, 2025.
Synopsis
Laszlo Kovac, auteur filmmaker, is denied funding for his film project. Too old, white and heart problems! Conclusion: no longer suitable for sale. Didn’t the Hungarian from Lake Balaton once want to aim high? What now? Continue to be a burden on his successful wife? Laszlo slips into a real life crisis and initially finds solace in the fascinating attraction of a “crazy woman” from the neighboring village. But when a right-wing populist stands as the only candidate for mayor in the village of 120 souls, Laszlo comes to his senses. To “prevent the right-wing idiot”, he puts himself forward as a liberal opponent.
The only question that remains is whether Laszlo’s marriage and he himself will survive the village election campaign?
Director’s note by Ben von Grafenstein
“Surving Brandenburg” is a comedy about getting older, the trials and tribulations of the post-midlife crisis, a film with a highly topical reference to the political situation in Germany and Europe. “Surving Brandenburg” deals with the dangerous rise of right-wing populism in rural areas. Despite the important social and political background, it was important to us, the makers, to give the story an entertaining and light touch with a feel-good rhythm. The film draws its comedic power primarily from Zoltan Paul’s self-ironic and unsparing portrayal and his honest and courageous approach to his own story.
Unfortunately, there is something very sad about the film’s genesis.
Zoltan and I lived on the same lake in Brandenburg, just a few rowing strokes away from each other. We spent almost every weekend there with friends. We drank, argued, had inspiring and less inspiring (movie) conversations – a bit like in a movie. A few years ago, Zoltan asked me if I would like to work with him on his last movie before he retired. I was involved in film projects myself and had to cancel. Then Zoltan died suddenly and we were all shocked. The main shooting had been completed, but the unfinished, not yet functioning film lay idle. After a long struggle, I decided to take over the baton, the directing. With the support and trust of producer Tina Hegewisch, Vincent TV, Jan Kerhart and Sandra Maischberger, we edited, reshot a little and finally brought the film to life. Suviving Brandenburg is a movie about life and survival. A political, entertaining, feel-good film, a film about Zoltan Paul: a humorous bon vivant, a colleague – a loyal friend.”
More information about the movie: Surviving Brandenburg
More information about the label: Darling Berlin
