My Blind Heart (German title Mein blindes Herz) is an Austrian feature film drama written, directed and edited by Peter Brunner. The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam[1] and Slamdance Film Festival[2] in Park City, Utah, in January/February 2014 and was nominated for a Golden Frog at the prestigious Camerimage Film Festival in November 2014.[3]
| My Blind Heart | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| German: Mein blinders Herz | |
| Directed by | Peter Brunner |
| Written by | Peter Brunner |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Franz Dude |
| Edited by | Peter Brunner |
Production company | Cataract Vision |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | Austria |
| Language | German |
Plot
editKurt is a 29-year-old marine biologist who suffers from the rare disease Marfan syndrome, which makes him almost blind as well as giving him a very peculiar appearance. After his dream of working at a Shark School is shattered, Kurt kills his mother, with whom he has a suffocating relationship and sets out on a journey to rebel against his body and the limits society tries to set for him. A short stay at a care home results in chaos and him getting kicked out, and he ends up on the streets where he befriends 13-year-old runaway Conny. Conny becomes his partner in crime during his protesting actions, not knowing what Kurt's motives are. Finally, Kurt manages to use a former friend from the care home, Roberto, to help him achieve his ultimate goal.
Cast
edit- Christos Haas as Kurt
- Jana McKinnon as Conny
- Susanne Lothar as Mother
- Georg Friedrich as Paul
- Robert Schmiedt as Roberto
- Christopher Schärf as David
Reception
editThe film was mostly well received by critics. Variety's Dennis Harvey called it "a visually arresting black-and-white debut"[4] while Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter said that it was "boasting scintillating visuals, revolutionary ideology which charges social norms head on, and powerful performances from its cast".[5]
Accolades
edit
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Slamdance Film Festival | Jury Award for Narrative Feature | Peter Brunner | Nominated |
| International Film Festival Rotterdam | HIVOS Tiger Award | Peter Brunner | Nominated | |
| Brooklyn Film Festival | Grand Chameleon Award | Peter Brunner | Nominated | |
| Brooklyn Film Festival | Certificates of Outstanding Achievement Cinematography | Franz Dude | Won[6] | |
| Brooklyn Film Festival | Certificates of Outstanding Achievement Actor Male | Christos Haas | Won | |
| Andrey Tarkovsky Film Festival "Zerkalo" | Special Jury Mention | Peter Brunner | Won[7] | |
| Durban International Film Festival | Award for Artistic Bravery | Peter Brunner | Won[8] | |
| New Horizons Film Festival | Grand Prize | Peter Brunner | Nominated | |
| Camerimage | Golden Frog | Franz Dude | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "Rotterdam completes line up Hivos Tiger Awards Competition - IFFR.COM - International Film Festival Rotterdam 2015 - IFFR". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ Dawson, Nick (3 December 2013). "Slamdance 2014 Lineup Announced". Filmmaker.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (29 October 2014). "'Fury', 'Wild' and 'Get on Up' in Camerimage Competition". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (January 22, 2014). "Film Review: 'My Blind Heart'". Variety.
- ^ Tsui, Clarence (27 January 2014). "My Blind Heart (Mein Blindes Herz): Rotterdam Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "My Blind Heart". Brooklyn Film Festival. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Дневник фестиваля/ Конкурс "Мое слепое сердце" - Дневник фестиваля - Новости - Фестиваль 2014 – Tarkovskyfest.ru". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ "Durban International Film Festival Announces Award Winners for 2014". National Film and Video Foundation. Retrieved 12 August 2021.