The film drama “Talk to me” (German original title: “Sprich mit mir” by Janin Halisch had its cinema premiere in Berlin on January 01, 2024 in the almost sold-out Hall 1 of the Colosseum Filmtheater in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district. The numerous guests at the premiere included the cast and crew as well as many representatives from the media and film industry. The film about a moving mother-daughter relationship was enthusiastically received by the audience.
The evening was hosted by radio presenter and film critic Knut Elstermann, who asked director Janin Halisch, producer Clara Gerst and the main actors Alina Stiegler, Barbara Philipp and Peter Lohmeyer to talk about the film after the screening.
“Talk to me” is the second cinema release premiere that UCM.ONE is organising with the Colosseum Filmtheater Berlin and the first in a double anniversary year: Darling Berlin, the film label on which UCM.ONE has been marketing the film “Talk to me” (German title: “Sprich mit mir“) in German cinemas since 18 January 2024, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024. Meanwhile, the Colosseum Filmtheater, which opened in 1924, celebrates its 100th birthday.
In addition – as Knut Elstermann told the audience – the director celebrated her birthday on the very day of the cinema premiere, whereupon the audience spontaneously sang “Happy Birthday“.
Producer Clara Gerst was honoured for her work on “Sprich mit mir” with the “No Fear Award” at “First Steps” last year. Lead actress Alina Stiegler received the Max OphĂĽls Award for “Best Actress“ for her role as Karo 2023.
Summary
Karo (28) is newly separated and is struggling with her non-existent relationship with her father. When her mother Michaela (50) wants to take her on holiday to RĂĽgen, Karo suspects another failed male affair. What begins as a spontaneous trip soon turns out to be a journey into the past of two women who couldn’t be more different: Michaela wants a distraction, Karo wants peace and quiet.
When they arrive at the hotel, they meet the newly divorced Jochen (60) and his teenage daughter Marie (16). For Michaela, Jochen is a holiday flirt and for Karo he could be the answer to all her questions and longings, while Marie is the mirror of a youth that Karo never had. Mother and daughter quickly realise that their absent father has left a void that is bigger and more painful than they thought. Old wounds are torn open and both try to heal in their own way and free themselves from their entrenched roles.
Press reviews of the film
“Rarely has broken heart syndrome been staged better.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
“A refreshingly honest, authentically acted movie about the absence of fathers.” (Cinema)
“Authentically acted movie about the absence of fathers.” (TV Today)
“Janin Halisch’s directorial debut is a fine observation of a difficult mother-daughter relationship with excellent leading actresses.” (Aachener Zeitung)
“Alina Stiegler (Sprich mit mir) is Germany’s new acting hope” (Bild)
“An honest mother-daughter drama about unresolved issues. It sounds heavy, but is always interspersed with light humor.” (BZ Berlin)
“The drama shows the difficulties of relationships, both familial and amorous, and that the answers don’t just fall from the sky.” (Film Rezensionen)
“Director Janin Halisch cleverly and sensitively deals with the late coming to terms with the divorce of parents, growing up without a father, which can shape a whole life, and the sometimes tragicomic effects of a lack of communication between parents and their children.” (Berlin Film Festival)
“Janin Halisch’s first feature film, “Sprich mit mir”, which shines with credible dialog, largely convincing actors and not a few tragicomic scenes, is basically about the journey to oneself.” (Kulturküche)
More information about the film: Talk to me
More information about the film label: Darling Berlin
