At Rex: Film talk with four short films + Premiere of „Vollrausch“

On the 11th of January 2023, four Motion Pictures students screened their 5th semester projects at the Art House cinema „Rex“ in Darmstadt.  The films presented were:

Vollrausch, directed and produced by Agnes Alves Olivo
Logline: When after a college party the drug dealer Lena gets arrested, and the rich frat-boy Adam gets involved in a fatal car crash while drunk, both of their lives are intertwined as they must deal with family dilemmas and prepare for their trials.

Ich Allein, directed by Tobias Wolf.
Logline: After committing a serious crime and spending time in prison, a violent boy is to be reintegrated into society in an open correctional facility – but does he deserve that?

Kamille, directed by Larissa Keller.
Logline: After the death of her wife, 73-year-old former queer activist Wanda battles grief and depression until one day an altercation occurs that allows her to participate in life again.

And Asynchron, directed by Li-Yue Kwok.
Logline: Timid and shy Janus finds himself in different situations where his courage is tested to help himself and the world. In his way stands a traumatic event from his adolescent days, a powerful and big corporation, and the running clock.

The night included presentations and Q&A from the directors, where the films and their creating process were analyzed. and discussed Vollrausch was well-received for its production, including many actors and several locations in Darmstadt and Frankfurt, and its visuals. The audience asked about the crew’s opinion on the issues the film criticize (glorification of alcohol and the war against drugs), and also about the role that the country of origin of the director – Brazil – plays in the film.

The audience during the event.

Ich Allein was on the other hand a film that took place in only one location and put more focus in the relationship of only a few characters. The film was greatly complimented for its story, tension building and the cinematography from Nadine Habash. The audience asked about the director’s work with actors, which were manly other Motion Picture students, and how the project came into existence.

Kamille was praised for its production design and general care on all creative areas of production. The audience asked about the director’s choice on portraying LGBT themes within older generations, as well about the credit songs composed for the film by Vincent Ruhl and san by one of the actresses.

Both Kamille and Ich Allein were already screened at the Visionale (and shared the third place prize). Asynchron was a bonus addition and celebrated its premiere there. The film was praised for its unconvetional and complex storyline, that gave the audience many questions and interpretations. Also about shooting in unusual locations, like next to a cliff.

The event organized by Agnes Olivo was originally planned to be only  private premiere of Vollrausch. Most of the cast and crew were present at the screening, including acting students from Mainz/Berlin, professional actors from Hessen and many students of Hochschule Darmstadt. However, with the idea of making a film night and a longer program she and Rex Kino invited the other three students. The event was even sold out already one week before, and appeared also in an article from the newspaper Darmstädter Echo.

The Programmkino Rex was really happy with the event and is open for more collaborations with students or the Hochschule. If you want to organize new screenings for your films, take the initiative – it is worth it!

The director of Vollrausch, Agnes Alves Olivo, and the organizer of the Programmkino Rex, Marcel Kurth.

The director of Kamille, Larissa Keller.

From Ich Allein: Nadine Habash (cinematographer) and Tobias Wolf (director)

The director of Asynchron, Li-Yue Kwok