Alle Anderen (Everyone Else)
Germany 2009

Opening 18 Jun 2009

Directed by: Maren Ade
Writing credits: Maren Ade
Principal actors: Birgit Minichmayr, Lars Eidinger, Hans-Jochen Wagner, Nicole Marischka, Mira Partecke

Gitti and her architect friend Chris are spending the holidays in his parent’s house on Sardinia. They seem to be happy, playing silly private games, making love on the carpet and going for walks. When they bump into Chris’ university mate Hans, who seems to be more successful with his dark-haired girlfriend proudly admiring him, Chris’ and Gitti’s little games tend to become more of a power struggle. Independent and lively Gitti tries to please and support her boyfriend but is unable to conform; she does not want to become like “everyone else.”

It is a tragic-comic story of an odd and vulnerable young couple struggling for identity within the relationship. Birgit Minichmayr portrayed her Gitti powerfully as a vivacious, but at the same time insecure, modern woman. She was awarded Best Actress at the 2009 Berlinale for this leading role. Lars Eidinger made a perfect match as the introverted Chris.

German director Maren Ade, who also wrote the script, received the Silver Bear at the Berlinale as this film tied for runner up. This is only her second feature film after her highly acclaimed debut with The Forest For The Trees (Der Wald vor lauter Bäumen). (Birgit Schrumpf)