Friday 26 / July / 2024
Muscat: The Embassies of Switzerland, Austria and Germany in Muscat and the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region announce the fourth edition of the German language film festival which will take place at the Palm Garden of the Intercontinental Hotel in Muscat. The festival will run on February 28 and February 29, 2024 with the screening of 3 movies.
On the opening night, at 5:45pm, a reception and opening speeches from the three ambassadors in the presence of guests of honour His Highness Sayyid Tariq Al Said, Honorary President of the Omani-German Friendship Association and Sayyid Abdullah Al Busaidy, Honorary Chairperson of the Oman Switzerland Friendship Association, will launch the German Language Film Festival (GLFF).
It will be followed with the screening of the first movie, “Die Goldenen Jahre” (Golden Years) by Barbara Kulcsar. The Swiss comedy-drama follows 'Alice and Peter'; a couple who celebrate their retirement on a cruise ship through the Mediterranean. However, when Peter invites a friend to join them, the spouses end up going on separate quests, on what should have been a reunifying journey.
This cruise will push the spouses on separate journeys of self-discovery, which will challenge their harmonious retirement and marriage.
On the second day, on February 29, the evening will open at 6:30 pm with Andres Veiel’s movie 'Ökozid', a 2020 German TV movie and legal thriller.
In 2034, climate change’s consequences are dramatic and have destroyed livelihood of millions of people. Two lawyers representing 31 countries of the Global South to the International Court of Justice raise the question of responsibility and demand compensation.
The court must decide whether German policy makers are to be held accountable for their failure to protect the climate. The film delves into an oppressive yet precise vision of the future and the challenges ahead for future generations.
The festival will conclude on the same evening with the Austrian movie 'Tonsüchtig' (Vienna Symphony), a 2020 documentaryabout the Vienna Symphony orchestra, from the married filmmakers Iva Svarcova and Malte Ludin.
The documentary displays interviews with many symphony’s members, who reflect on the highs and lows of their work. The intimate, playful and often revealing tone of the discussions exposes the fear of failure and performance anxiety, the demanding schedule and standards of excellence and the interpersonal dynamic within this renowned institution.
Salman Kouhi, Director of the Goethe Institute in Muscat, commented: "It is with a great honour that we invite the entire cinema and German language aficionados to a new edition of this unique film festival held in the Sultanate. The careful curation of this year's programme, featuring a captivating selection of Swiss, German, and Austrian films, reflects our commitment to displaying the cultural richness of German-language cinema. We are excited to bring people together for an intimate outdoor cinema experience under the enchanting Muscat sky.
The German language film festival is presented by the Embassies of Austria, Germany and Switzerland and the Goethe-Institut Muscat.
