Reine Formsache’s light-hearted take on love

by Bénédicte Prot

14/04/2006 - With nine new releases this week, including four new US films, one Israeli drama and three European co-productions, Senator has chosen the perfect time to release the only German film, Reine Formsache, a light-hearted comedy directed by Ralf Huettner, a versatile director of mainstream films as well, such as the political satire Der Papagei (lit. "The Parrot") and Moonlight Tariff.

In Reine Formsache, Marc Hosemann plays Felix, a playboy whose charm no longer works on his wife Pola (Christiane Paul). Pola wants a divorce, yet as soon as there is a hint of a separation, Felix does everything in his power to win Pola back, finding himself in all sorts of embarrassing situations. Meanwhile, another married couple (Ada et Wito) aren’t getting along and a third couple (Effi and Gustav) are victims to daily routine. This amusing portrait of three marriages in crisis was produced by Béla Jarzyk and Alicia Remirez for Berlin company Independent Players.

Other European films released yesterday include Spanish/Argentinean comedy Elsa y Fred by Marcos Carnevale (distr. Arsenal), Manual of Love by Italy’s Giovanni Veronesi (distributed by Constantin) and Italian film All the Invisible Children, a group project made for UNICEF and the World Food Program. Participants in the film include Spike Lee, Emir Kusturica and Ridley Scott. All the Invisible Children is being distributed by Concorde.

(Translated from French)