OSCARS 2012 Austria
Breathing sets sights on Hollywood
by Bénédicte Prot
02/09/2011 - A jury put together by FAMA (Austrian Federation of Film and Music Industries), made up of nine industry representatives and local filmmakers, has chosen the Austrian contender for the 84th Academy Awards. Karl Markovics’s Breathing [trailer] will set out to win the 2012 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. This debut directorial film by the Austrian actor (who played nasty Doctor Farge in Unknown) competed for this honour alongside a vast range of films including several other debut works, which shows the dynamism of Austrian cinema.
Breathing, which was selected in the Directors’ Fortnight at the latest Cannes Film Festival, won over not only Cineuropa (see review) but also the Europa Cinemas Label jury. Since its world avant-premiere on the Croisette, the film has been picked for around 50 international festivals.
Produced by EPO Filmproduktion, the film centres on Roman (meticulously played by non-professional actor Thomas Schubert, starring alongside Georg Friedrich) who patiently strives to escape his suffocating life in a youth detention centre. The title received backing from the Austrian Film Institute, the national fund FISA, TV company ORF and regional funds Filmfonds Wien Cinestyria Filmkunst and Land Niederösterreich. International sales are handled by Films Distribution.
The final five nominees for the 2012 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar will be announced on January 24. The prestigious ceremony will take place on February 26.
(Translated from French)
