Archive of films Madonnas / Madonnen

Germany
2007, 125 min

Section: Forum of Independents - Competition
Year: 2007

After being neglected as a child, Rita gives birth to six children of her own – each with a different man – and forces her mother to act as a parent to her grandchildren. The second feature by director Maria Speth, who is considered one of the most important representatives of the Berlin school.

Synopsis

Rita flees to Belgium with her baby because she is wanted for theft and other offences in Germany. She sets out in search of her biological father whom she has never met. But he has a wife and children. She is eventually arrested by the Belgian police and deported back to Germany where she serves a lengthy prison sentence. During this time, Rita’s four other children live with Rita’s mother Isabella. After Rita is released from prison, she takes her children back again – against the will of her mother. With the help of Marc – an American soldier stationed in Germany – they manage to create a family environment which is almost normal. But Rita soon resumes her former lifestyle… Not every mother has to be good and the film harshly observes the life of women like this. New German talent Sandra Hüller stars in the main role.

About the director

Maria Speth (b. 1967, Titting) studied acting and has worked as an editing and directing assistant on films and TV productions since 1991. She has been studying at the Konrad Wolf Film and TV Academy in Potsdam-Babelsberg since 1996. She graduated in 2001 with her first feature film The Days Between (in den tag hinein, WPRO Tiger Award at IFF Rotterdam 2001, Forum of Independents 2001). Other films: Wednesday (Mittwoch, short 1995), Barefoot (Barfuss, short 1999). Maria Speth is considered one of the most important representatives of the Berlin School. Madonnas is her second feature.

Contacts

The Match Factory
Domstrasse 60, 50668, Cologne
Germany
Tel: +49 221 539 7090
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.the-match-factory.com

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About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	Forum of Independents - Competition

Director:	Maria Speth
Screenplay:	Maria Speth
Dir. of Photography:	Reinhold Vorschneider
Editor:	Dietmar Kraus, Ludo Troch, Dörte Völz-Mammarella, Maria Speth
Producer:	Christoph Friedel
Production:	Pandora Filmproduktion GmbH
Cast:	Sandra Hüller, Luisa Sappelt, Coleman Orlando Swinton, Susanne Lothar
Contact:	The Match Factory

Guests

Michael Weber

Buyer, Sales Agent

Brigitte Suárez

Sales Agent

Viola Fügen

Producer