14/02/2007

A puzzled audience received the latest work by Christian Petzold, Yella [+see also:
trailer
film profile], whose (world premiere) screening in competition today at the Berlinale Palast ended with little applause and some whistling.

A regular of the Berlinale, the director (a graduate of the German Film & Television Academy in 1994) previously participated in the festival with Wolfsburg (2003, Panorama Special) and Ghosts (2005, official competition), two stories centred on characters searching for themselves and a role in human relations and society.

Even Yella, the main character in his new film, is searching for something. Having fled her East German village and a failed marriage, she seems to unexpectedly find a way to satisfy her consuming ambition. An encounter with a serious and determined young financial worker convinces her to set her sights on a course that might finally take her to the top, yet her past re-emerges just as Yella is one step away from glory.

“I often work with presumptuous characters, who have asked for too much and find themselves marginalised, forced to change their plans, their intrigues, their job to get back on track in life, society, love”, said Petzold. “The East can no longer support its children in a dignified manner. People are forced to leave, and to leave behind ghosts. However, the things that Yella leaves back east come back to haunt her in her new western life, and they crush her”.

Produced by Schramm Film Koerner & Weber, ZDF and ARTE, with financing from FFA Filmförderungsanstalt, BKM Kulturelle Filmförderung des Bundes, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and Nordmedia Fonds GmbH, the film will be distributed in Germany by the Berlin-based Piffl Medien.

International sales are being handled by The Match Factory.

(Translated from Italian)