Das Filmfest in Prague

The German-language Film Festival, Das Filmfest, will take place from October 16 to 20, 2024, in Prague, offering viewers a fantastic opportunity to see the latest films from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The festival will be held at Prague’s Lucerna and Edison Filmhub cinemas.

Now in its 18th year, the festival brings a selection of the best in contemporary filmmaking, ranging from award-winning films by renowned directors to new works from emerging talents. The program spans a wide variety of genres—from comedies, historical epics, and psychological dramas to documentaries. The films cover both current topics and historical events, bringing to life stories of figures like Franz Kafka, choreographer Pina Bausch, and Viennese singer-songwriter Voodoo Jürgens. There will also be explorations of darker moments in history, such as Nazi propaganda, alongside contemporary issues like plastic pollution.

A highlight of this year’s edition is the Czech premieres of several significant films. The satirical film *Veni Vidi Vici* by director duo Daniel Hoesl and Julie Niemann delves into the dark side of the power struggles among the super-rich. Joachim A. Lang presents *Goebbels (Führer und Verführer)*, which reveals the life of the Nazi propaganda minister. Audiences can also look forward to Andreas Dresen’s film *In Love, Yours Hilde (In Liebe, Eure Hilde)*.

Another notable film is *When Will It Finally Be Like It Never Was Before (Wann wird es endlich wieder so, wie es nie war)* by Sonja Heiss, set in the 1970s and 80s with an appealing soundtrack and entertaining family dynamics. For those who enjoy suspense, the festival will screen the film noir *Burnt Earth (Verbrannte Erde)* by Thomas Arslan, set in Berlin’s criminal underworld.

The festival will also mark the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death. In tribute to this literary giant, the festival will open with *The Glory of Life (Die Herrlichkeit des Lebens)*, which captures the final year of Kafka’s life. Director Georg Maas will personally introduce the film in Prague.

All films will be shown in their original language with Czech subtitles, allowing audiences to enjoy them in their authentic form.

In addition to the film screenings, the festival will offer a complementary industry program. On Thursday, October 17, a panel discussion will address the position of women in the film industry in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. On Friday, there will be a panel on sustainability in film production in the Czech Republic and Germany.

Das Filmfest is a fantastic opportunity to explore the cinematic works of German-speaking countries, enjoy a diverse program, and engage in discussions on important topics.

WHERE: Lucerna, Edison Filmhub
WHEN: October 16-20, 2024
PRICE: 130-150 CZK

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