AUSTRIA goes to CANNES
Copyright: Cannes Media Center
This year two Austrian directors, Jessica Hausner and Andreas Horvath, are invited to the Cannes Film Festival. The films “Little Joe” and “Lillian” have cast a light on Austrian productions and creativity.
It’s a proud day for Austrian creatives, as last year Michael Haneke’s film was presented at Cannes and again this year, Austrian film makers got invited to the most important film festival in the world.
© Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion
Today, I would like to talk about the film “Lillian”, which is part of the "Director's Fortnight" selection.
The feature length road-movie by Andreas Horvath unearths the story of a Russian immigrant traveling through the United States of America. The American dream is put on its head as the protagonist “Lillian” is confronted with a harsh reality of her actual worth in this great nation of possibilities.
© Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion
The story of this young woman, is based on true events; hence the film has nuances of a documentary style. Sadly, she went missing on her way through America and has never been found again. One can only speculate, what happen to this woman.
The protagonist is played by Patricia Patrycja Płanik, who is initially from Poland. The film took years in the making and was produced by Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion.
In my opinion, I think that the Cannes film festival chose this film to expose the many stories of women trying to break out, discover or create a future for and by themselves. Sadly, if you are a woman traveling by yourself, you will most likely be in danger.
I am curious to find out what really happened to her and what her journey was like.
In my next posting, I will be able to share my experience and opinion of the movie. I look forward to seeing it in Cannes!
© Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion
