Fokus announces line-up

Scottish German film festival celebrates third edition

by Amber Wilkinson

Josef Hader as Stefan Zweig in opening film Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe
Josef Hader as Stefan Zweig in opening film Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe

The full programme announced for Fokus: Films From Germany has been announced, which will run across venues in Scotland from November 23 to January 31, 2018.

It will open with Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe, charting the life of the Austrian Jewish writer during his years in exile (read our interview with director Maria Schrader here) and feature films including sexual abuse drama The Culpable and Doris Dörrie's award-winning Fukushima, Mon Amour.

Taking in themes that range from war, migration, exploitation and exploring perspectives on Europe, all selected films feature protagonists on a search for something, displaying a thirst for life in spite of the sometimes challenging surrounding environments.

Younger audiences, meanwhile, can enjoy Hördur, which tracks a young woman who finds herself consigned to community service at a horse ranch - which offers her an opportunity for change.

This year, the festival has added the Mareel in Shetland as a venue, in addition to Filmhouse, Edinburgh; Glasgow GFT; Dundee Contemporary Arts; Belmont Filmhouse, Aberdeen; Eden Court, Inverness; Ayr Film Society and Bo’ness Hippodrome.

Other films in the line-up include Christian Petzold's post-war drama Phoenix and documentary Brother Jakob, which also screened at Edinburgh Film Festival earlier this year.

The works of Werner Herzog, considered one of the greatest figures in New German Cinema are screened in the retrospective strand. Tying into the ongoing collaboration between Goethe-Institut and Filmhouse presenting their Herzog of the Month screenings. Fokus presents the 1962 short film Herakles, Herzog's first foray into filmmaking as 20-year-old and his debut full- length feature film, the critically acclaimed and Silver Bear winning Signs Of Life, from 1968.

The full list of films screening is below: Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe Marija House without roof Hördur Retrospective: Werner Herzog Phoenix The Culpable Sanctuary Fukushima, Mon Amour Brother Jakob

Share this with others on...
News

On the edge Robert R Palmer and Hazel McKibbin on Last Man Up

Finding truth Lou Diamond Phillips on getting interesting roles and starring in Gangland

Body, heart and mind Leah Nelson on memory loss and making Tangles

Starring role for a 'reluctant' award winner Karlovy Vary turns spotlight on genius behind the lens Robert Richardson

Why it’s not all about Jesse Eisenberg on talking too much, keeping off the internet and staying creative

Massive funding cuts threaten performing arts courses Concern expressed for the future of individuals and successful industries

More news and features

We're bringing you news, reviews and more from the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.



We're looking forward to the Fantasia International Film Festival.



We've recently brought you coverage of the Muslim International Film Festival, Docs Ireland, Sheffield DocFest, ImagineNative, Tribeca, Cannes, Queer East, the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, Visions du Réel, Fantaspoa, Overlook, BFI Flare and SXSW.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


Locarno Sangsoo and Yeo in mix as full line-up announced


MIFF Prize winners announced


Karlovy Vary Jesse Eisenberg on talking too much, keeping off the internet and staying creative


Fantasia Full line-up revealed; Her Private Hell to open


MIFF Festival director discusses London line-up as doors open