- Title: German hilarious and emotional father-daughter tale presented in Cannes
- Date: 14th May 2016
- Summary: SIMONISCHEK AND ROMANIAN ACTRESS INGRID BISU WAVING ON RED CARPET SECURITY PERSONNEL / CAST AND CREW ON STEPS VARIOUS OF CAST AND CREW WAVING ON STEPS
- Embargoed: 29th May 2016 17:45
- Keywords: Cannes Film Festival Germany Maren Ade
- Location: CANNES, FRANCE AND UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS
- City: CANNES, FRANCE AND UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: France
- Topics: Film
- Reuters ID: LVA00B4HS54Y5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: German director Maren Ade's 'Toni Erdmann', a joyous and emotional story of a father trying to rebuild lost links with his daughter, was presented at Cannes Film Festival on Saturday (May 14).
The film, loudly acclaimed by journalists at its press screening, explores many complicated topics, from families breaking apart, to sexism at work, but is lightened with hilarious scenes during the more than two hour and a half film.
"I wanted to, with 'Toni, I wanted to do a contrast, like a fantasy of a breakout, like a thesis of what would be if you could like meet each other again as strangers and to maybe start from zero," Maren Ade said.
In the film, Ines, a busy consultant for a petrol company, tries to keep her father Winfried out of her life, bored by his jokes and afraid he might harm her career.
"They want to come together, both but no possibilities, so... And he makes his jokes. Like he did as a child, when she was a child, she said 'Daddy, put on your teeth' and he'll go like this, and daughter is laughing and 'No put it away'. And he does it again now that the daughter is 37, not 37, 30 about. And he tries that, and she is laughing, nearly but it doesn't really work," said Peter Simonischek, who plays Winfried.
Sexism at work is a big topic in the film, as Ines is seen working hard and succeeding in her job, but still struggling with her male colleagues' cliches.
"The more she is working there she finds that there is still some lack, some secret borders where she is not able to get over, as a woman. And I think in a way she realises also that there is still a problem, like when people tell her to go shopping with the CEO's wife or things like that. I mean, I didn't want to make a film that, it was just that I wanted to show it as it is, to let it be as, to show the daily routine in that,' Ade told Reuters Television.
As he realises the links with his daughter are broken and feels disappointed by who she has become, Winfried decides to create a character, Toni Erdmann, and pretends to meet her for the first time. Although unsuccessful at the beginning, the strategy finally pays off as Ines slowly accepts to take up the challenges he gives her and decides to let it all go.
It starts when Ines is forced by her father to perform Whitney Houston's 'Greatest love of all' in front of total strangers and ends up performing a real show.
Towards the end of the film, the very strict Ines eventually decides to make her birthday party a 'naked party', forcing guests, including her boss and young assistant, to undress before having a chance to access the party.
"Well, we rehearsed a lot so we had seen each other naked before, I think it was a criteria for Maren if we would get along with each other in this situation, to work with someone. Basically, there is a certain point where you just forget it that you are naked and I think that is what she wanted also. Of course, it's a big thing to do and the whole scene is very complicated but also liberating," said actress Sandra Huller.
'Toni Erdmann' is Maren Ade's third feature film.
The festival will run until May 22 when the Palme d'Or will be awarded to the best film. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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