- Title: 'We don't stand a chance' - 'Werk Ohne Autor' director on Oscar win
- Date: 4th September 2018
- Summary: VENICE, ITALY (SEPTEMBER 4, 2018) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (German) ACTOR SEBASTIAN KOCH, ON HIS CHARACTER, PROFESSOR SEEBAND, SAYING: "His language is a weapon - he can destroy people with language. His posture is (gestures perfect), he can't have anything out of place. That is intriguing to play as it's the opposite to what I am like, I'm quite an emotional person. This is
- Embargoed: 18th September 2018 18:00
- Keywords: Saskia Rosendahl Oliver Masucci Tom Schilling Werk Ohne Autor Sebastian Koch Venice Film Festival Paula Beer Never Look Away Oscars writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
- Location: VENICE, ITALY/ VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- City: VENICE, ITALY/ VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA0088W7P1SD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Oscar-winning "The Lives of Others" director returns to divided Germany in "Werk Ohne Autor" ("Never Look Away") - but doubts the new film is Oscar-worthy.
"I'm confident that we don't stand a chance," writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday (September 4).
His latest film, screening in competition at the 75th Venice Film Festival, has just been chosen as Germany's 'Best Foreign Language Film' contender in the Academy Awards next year.
Von Donnersmarck said the common theme in the two films was art.
"I would say that 'The Lives of Others' explored how art can change a person and shape someone, whereas this movie maybe looks at how the events of a lifetime, especially the hurt of a lifetime and the trauma shapes art," he said.
Inspired by true events spanning three eras of German history, the story is initially set in the east of the country, and follows art student Kurt (played by Tom Schilling) who falls in love with fashion student Ellie (Paula Beer), the daughter of a famous doctor, Professor Seeband (Sebastian Koch).
But the lovers have a problem - her father does not approve of the relationship.
"My father-in-law despises me greatly, and does everything to divide them," Schilling told Reuters.
"His language is a weapon - he can destroy people with language," Koch said of the professor.
"That is intriguing to play as it's the opposite to what I am like, I'm quite an emotional person," Koch added.
"Werk Ohne Autor", which is titled "Never Look Away" in English, is one of 21 films vying for the Golden Lion prize which will be awarded at the end of the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 8. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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