First highlights of the program

First Program Highlights:

ANCHORAGE USA 2021, by Scott Monahan (Internationale Premiere)

In his feature film directorial debut, Scott Monahan also stars alongside fellow actor and screenwriter Dakota Loesch in the roles of two brothers who attempt to drive a trunk full of opioids from Florida to Alaska to cash-in big in the Land of Gold. A split-second act of violence somewhere in the California desert derails their trip and sets them on a crash course with tragedy. What starts as a joy ride to the promised land turns into a journey to the heart of a family, the heart of addiction, and the true cost of the American Dream.

FAGGOTS, SWITZERLAND 2021, by Dominik Krawiecki and Patrycja Płanik (World Premiere)

Following her starring role in 2019s »Lillian« (which debuted in Cannes and for which she won the Seymour Cassel Award in Oldenburg), Planik steps behind the camera with fellow actor and co-director Domink Krawiecki in their debut feature. In a dystopian post-pandemic reality, only a crowd of gender-bending characters survive. A grotesque funeral of the last female on earth reveals the true nature of modern society and starts a new era. A caricature of the right extremist nightmare unravels in front of our eyes. Lensed by Planik in her cinematography debut, and scored by award-winning filmmaker and composer Andreas Horvath, this fearless attack against intolerance is bold and visionary.

FOXHOLE USA 2021, by Jack Fessenden (World Premiere)

Foxhole is the follow-up feature after 2019s »Stray Bullets« from Jack Fessenden, who was 19 years old during the shoot and which had its world premiere in Oldenburg. Following five soldiers stuck in a single location during three different wars, the American Civil War, World War I, and Iraq with classic themes of honor, sacrifice, camaraderie and cowardice, it examines the shifting roles of race and gender over time against the backdrop of seemingly endless human conflict. A resonant story for our times which asserts our shared humanity. Written, directed, edited and scored by Fessenden, it is an aspirational work of cinema with a singular vision.

THE PASHA USA 2021, by Josie Maynard (World Premiere)

Known alternately as the country’s most notorious warlord, the greatest threat to the Taliban and America’s biggest ally in Afghanistan, in »The Pasha«, General Abdul Rashid Dostum speaks for the first time on camera about his rise from the lower classes to run for Vice President and a lifetime spent fighting extremists. New York based filmmaker Josie Maynard spent 15 years in Afghanistan and shows insights not yet seen in the Western world.

WHAT HAPPEND TO THE WOLF? MYANMAR 2021, by Na Gyi (World Premiere)

In his second feature, Na Gyi re-teams with wife and Myanmar Academy Award winner Paing Phyoe Thu who stars alongside Eaindra Kyaw Zin as Way and Moe, two terminally ill patients who meet in the hospital. Two women, one destiny. Moe is suffering from cancer, Way was born with a heart defect. One woman is traditional, the other rebellious. Drawn to each other, the odd pair find comfort as they journey towards fabled “sea of clouds” before dying, not knowing destiny has a twist in this eternal puzzle called life. Na Gyi and Paing Phyoe Thu remain in hiding with warrants issued for their arrest by the Military police, accused of using their celebrity to oppose the 2021 coup. Eaindra Kyaw Zin has been under Military arrest in prison since February. Her condition is unknown.

BOROWSKI UND DER GUTE MENSCH GERMANY 2021, Ilker Çatak (World Premiere)

During a riot in the forensic clinic, Kai Korthals manages to escape from security custody. Korthals, who stalked and killed numerous women in their homes, became Inspector Borowski's personal nightmare. Six years ago he kidnapped Borowski’s fiancée, who the Inspector managed to save, but their relationship didn’t survive. Borowski’s colleague Mila Sahin is obsessed to hunt down Korthals by any means – but, is Borowski ready to face his nemesis again? Written by Sascha Arango and directed by Ilker Catak, this gripping tale of redemption stars iconic German actors Axel Milberg, Lars Eidinger and Sabine Timoteo.

PIG USA 2021, Michael Sarnoski (German Premiere)

In Michael Sarnoski’s feature debut, Nicolas Cage stars as Rob, a truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness who must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig, Apple, after she is kidnapped. In a performance that critics are already hailing as Oscar worthy, the global icon (and 2016 Tribute and Walk of Fame Star recipient in Oldenburg) returns to his roots as an artist with a truly independent spirit.

SWING USA 2021, Michael Mailer (World Premiere)

During their last year at an Ivy League college in 1999, after finishing last in the national championship, a university rowing team finds new inspiration when a Vietnam veteran takes over as their coach. Produced by and starring two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon in the role of Coach Murphy, the award-winning producer/director, Michael Mailer presents an inspiration cinematic celebration true sportsmanship and integrity. Swing: the feeling when a team rows together in synch.

TITANE FRA 2021, Julia Ducournau (German Premiere)

Her 2016 powerful debut, »Raw«, won the FIPRESCI Award in Cannes and put the French filmmaker on the international map as it garnered critical acclaim and swept awards worldwide. »Titane«, her second feature, debuted in Cannes Competition and is regarded as one of the most controversial winners of the Palm d'Or in years. Following a series of unexplained crimes, a father is reunited with the son who has been missing for 10 years. Titane: A metal highly resistant to heat and corrosion, with high tensile strength alloys. Starring Agathe Rousselle and Vincent Lindon in this genre-defying wild ride, »Titane« is electrifying.

TYRANNENMORD GERMANY 2021, by Christoph Stark (World Premiere)

17-year-old Juan has disappeared from boarding school. His father is the ambassador of an authoritarian country whose president is about to come to Germany for a state visit. While Juan's friend Hanna has the worst fears, Juan's best friend August suspects that he only wanted to avoid the official celebrations on the upcoming state visit. When a blackmail letter emerges, the boy's bodyguard is caught in the crosshairs of the investigation: Juan's kidnappers demand the release of imprisoned opponents of the regime.

MAD GOD USA 2021, by Phil Tippett (German Premiere)

After thirty years in the making, the personal masterpiece of the Oscar-winning effects and stop-motion genius who put his stamp on such classics as »Star Wars« and »Jurassic Park« finally comes to the screen. From the visionary who received a 2021 ›Lifetime Achievement Award‹ from Fantasia and the 2021 ›Ticinomodo Vision Award‹ in Locarno, »Mad God« is already being hailed by critics and fans as an instant cult classic. A descent into ontological madness and hell, like a canvas in the spirit of Hieronymus Bosch, Tippett offers a journey into a universe of horrors – a decades long passion project that pushed the boundaries of the creator himself.

THE LAST VICTIM USA 2021, Naveen A Chathapuram

In his directorial debut, Naveen A Chathapuram  presents a powerful neo-western starring Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy) Ali Larter (Resident Evil) and Ralph Ineson (The Witch). A horrific crime in a lonely desert town spurs an unstoppable chain of events. Sheriff Hickey and his Deputy lead the investigation as charismatic ideologue Jake and his strange crew of outcasts attempt to dispose of all evidence on the outskirts of town. When they cross paths with a married couple moving across the country, everyone's fate is changed in an instant. A wild ride and cinematic homage to a beloved genre, featuring one of America’s most beloved actors.

Closing Night Gala Film and Live Concert

With the world premiere of "The Maestro" by Paul Spurrier and Somtow Sucharitkul, the Oldenburg International Film Festival celebrates a spectacular return to culture as a global unifying force. On September 19, 2021, world renown composer and conductor Somtow Sucharitkul and his award-winning Thai Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Siam Sinfonietta, will play a gala concert in collaboration with the Bremen Youth Symphony Orchestra, giving the premiere screening of "The Maestro" a grand introduction.

THE MAESTRO THAILAND 2021, by Paul Spurrier (World Premiere)

»The Maestro« is a loving tribute to the cult classics of the past, but also an exploration into deep philosophical issues about the nature of art. The tale of a genius provoked and pushed into madness and beyond, »The Maestro« tells the story of Arun, a composer and conductor who tried to make it in Europe but has ended up teaching high society children in Thailand. For years, he has been composing a magnum opus, ›The Tongues of Angels‹, and dreams of premiering it under his own baton. The Covid crisis allows him to create an imagined utopia for gifted young musicians in the middle of nowhere, far from the pestilence and corruption of the outside world ... but things go horribly wrong. Starring world-renowned conductor and composer Somtow Sucharitkul (who wrote and composed the film) and his award-winning youth orchestra, the Siam Sinfonietta, the film was conceived during the outbreak of Covid, as with conservatories locked down and no concerts to play, only gatherings for film productions were allowed, and so the silver screen became their music school. An ode to freedom of creativity in times of Corona, director Paul Spurrier brings to the screen a work of transcendence, of wildness … and a touch of madness. »Mr. Holland's Opus« meets »The Texas Chainsaw Massacre«.

The FESTIVAL TRAILER 2021 – THE OLTRIX

Starring Hardy Daniel Krüger, it pays homage to a science fiction classic from the turn of the millennium. The dystopia »Matrix« created by the Wachowski siblings was the model for this year's trailer, which was created with the support of Iyuno Ger-many and TrickWilk. With camera and editing, Matthias Sachal from Oldenburg, Germany, with his 8ightyfour Cinematography, gave the trailer wonderful cinematic images and even more local color.

The trailer will have its nationwide theatrical release on August 26, 2021.

You can see the trailer now here.

Ticket prices and pre-sale

Ticket for the cinema: 8.50 euros / Online screenings: 5.99 euros

The central point of contact for advance sales for physical events will be located in the Markthalle of CORE Oldenburg at Heiligengeiststraße 6-8 from 06 September. Other VVK points are: Tourismus-Information, Lange Straße 3, as well as all ADticket VVK points and the Tickethotline (0180) 60 50 400. Tickets for digital events can be found on the Filmfest website.

Season tickets can also be purchased at www.filmfest-oldenburg.de or at the Festival Center in CORE Oldenburg.

Online sales for the opening film begin on 27 August 2021.