Règles de l'art

John Gruber is in his mid-thirties. He lives a fast, pricey, and egocentric life in the finest district of Vienna. Businesstrips to Switzerland and  hook-ups with the hottest women in town ,just to forget their names the next morning, is his daily life. If there was an Award for being Anti-family/social/assholy, Jonny Gruber would probably win every category. Unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, he is thrown off track; also by the involuntary bearer of the news: Sarah, a DJ from Berlin, who is actually not really his type and he got to know on a businesstrip as a ONS. But it will no longer be a short encounter - their paths will cross more often then they thought. Normally Gruber has no need for emotions – but suddenly, without being asked, they pop out of the sealed coffins he strained them to. I had the pleasure of seeing this motion picture by Marie Kreutzer at the DIAGONALE 2015 in Graz. I have to be honest that did not expect something...

"Welcome to Manhattan... welcome to my place" Mark Reay introduced the documentary about his life with these first two sentences. He's sitting on the top of the house he lives in or actually... on. Mark works as streestyle and fashion photographer in New York City one of the biggest Fashion-capitals in the world. He works with Agencies like Wilhelmina Models or IMG Models, is invited to hip parties and fancy cocktails. A Suit and button down shirt are his daily attire. There is only one thing which does not fit the fashionable perfect picture - Mark is Homeless. Mark lives on the Rooftops of New York buildings. Mark looks stunning (52 years old) for his age. He has a very lively personality and his social skills are a perfect tool to get along with - and needed - to be able to work in an industry like fashion. He shoots for Magazines like ELLE Korea and DAZED AND CONFUSED. I kinda thought that his documentary by Thomas Wirthen...

Filmstill by Virgil Widrich Main Sujet of the Diagonale 2015 staring the grand Delphine Seyrig After regretting SO much that i was not able to attend last years DIAGONALE in Graz i am stoked about going this year! My favorite (Austrian) Filmfestival will take place from the 17th of March to the 22nd. This years festival edition for the last time under direction of Ms. Barbara Pichler promises a variation and some extraordinary surprises. (if one can trust the official press release) When recently enjoyed his moderation a lot at the Austrian Movie Awards at the Rathaus i am sure will do so again with his new motion picture which will star as opening film this year. Karl Markovics SUPERWELT . The Diagonale is conceived as a forum for the presentation and discussion of Austrian cinematic production.  The goal and task of the Diagonale is a nuanced, multifaceted and critical exploration of Austrian cinema as well as drawing the industry into the media spo...

Grand Diagonale Prize for Best Austrian Feature Film (€ 21.000) Tizza Covi und Rainer Frimmel for Der Glanz des Tages  Grand Diagonale Prize for Best Austrian Documentary Film (€ 21.000) Bernadette Weigel for Fahrtwind – Aufzeichnungen einer Reisenden Best Innovative Cinema Award (€ 10.500) Michaela Grill for FORÊT D’EXPÉRIMENTATION Best Short Feature Film (€ 4.000) Florian Pochlatko for Erdbeerland Best Short Documentary Film (€ 4.000) Friedemann Derschmidt for Das Phantom der Erinnerung Best Young Talent Film (€ 4.000) Matthias Zuder for Erbgut Diagonale Prize for Cinematography (€ 2.000 each)  Best cinematography feature film: Wolfgang Thaler and Ed Lachman for Paradies: Liebe  Best cinematography documentary film: Bernadette Weigel for Fahrtwind – Aufzeichnungen einer Reisenden Diagonale Prize for Editing (€ 2.000 each)  Best editing feature film: Peter...

Mit der österreichischen Erstaufführung von Ulrich Seidls Paradies: Hoffnung eröffnete gestern Abend die 16. Diagonale in Graz.  Neben dem Regisseur waren auch die beiden Hauptdarsteller/innen Melanie Lenz und Joseph Lorenz sowie zahlreiche weitere Mitglieder der Filmcrew bei der Premiere anwesend. Prominenz aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Kunst und Kultur füllte die Helmut-List-Halle bis auf den letzten Platz.  (klaus Pressberger) (Maria Hofst by Alexi Pelekanos) In Kooperation mit der VDFS hat die Diagonale bereits zum Startschuss des Festivals einen viel beachteten Preis vergeben. Maria Hofstätter wurde mit dem Großen Diagonale-Schauspielpreis für ihre Verdienste um die österreichische Filmkultur ausgezeichnet.  Die gebürtige Oberösterreicherin nahm den Preis, ein von dem renommierten Künstler Herbert Brandl gestiftetes Drehbild, persönlich entgegen. Hofstätter zeigte sich in ihrer Dankesrede überrascht, aber umso mehr erfreut ü...

Graz is calling! I will be on my way to the capital of styra together with my friends and Film-makers Anna Spannlang and Bernd Oppl. Stay tuned for a everyday journal and facebook /twitter action form the festival! xx MB

I never mentioned who i was with at the festival :) My close friend and great actress Claudia Kainberger ( her Blog ) was so kind to let me and filmmaker Anna Spannlang  ( her Blog ) crash on her couch for the 3 days. Also in town was Bernd Oppl , he actually showed his short experimental Film "Hotel Room" Speaking of Anna and Bernd, we went out one night to the Papierfabrik in graz (hot new place to be we were told). It was more some older hippie guy playing his 60s records and Motown favorites. Which is not so bad but actually everyone just wanted to shake their booty to electronic music ;) Somehow we stayed until 4:30 though i think. On the way home Bernd had a great idea - due to the fact that i was thursday evening (WE KNOW! actually friday morning duh!)- he came out and told us that he was .... watching Germanys next Topmodel!! We were shocked! but decided to crash with him in his great "Hotel Room" - HA! The next morning we snuck into the lobby and had...

"Spät aber doch" here now comes my review of the Diagonale 2012 in Graz. A festival for Austrian Film. First of all i have to say, i've been coming to this Festival three years in a row and wow! a big thank you to the city Graz! everywhere you go you see Diagonale posters/flags/etc... you really get the vibe that the city is in festival mood! Really nice to see how everyone is taking part in the citys activities(none like others). But lets cut the mush. I was able to attend the festival for only three days this year which was such a shame but i got a great piece of the cake! Unlike the last time i watched quite a lot documentary films this year. Somehow we got the feeling that there was quite a focus on "Sexual" topics. Starting our first day with the documentary " Whores Glory "by Michael Glawogger at 11 a.m. was quite a rough start of but the pictures was amazing. our friend Gucki managing tha press ;) And at this point i have to say th...

It was home sweet home for me this weekend cause my Dad was celebrating his Birthday! YAY for him :) Was a great time though, on Sunday morning we went to the Moviemento in Linz. Morning? -yes! they had a so called movie-brunch there. It was really great! fresh organic orange juice, tomato soup, bacon, salad, croissants, cheese and hot koko :) We went and saw the movie "The best exotic Marigold Hotel" At first i had never heard of the movie before but as i read the plot and saw the cast of the film  (Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, Dev Patel, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson and Penelope Wilton) i was really looking forward to it! And what is better after a movie then A BIG FAT BIRTHDAY CAKE!! So, but for me its back Home to Vienna for now, the new Interview Issue accompanies me along the way. OH OH OH! B 4 i forget my dears, i will be in Graz for the DIAGONALE from Wednesday to Friday evening so stay tuned for more infos concerning the austrian Film Festival ...

The Opening of the annual austrian filmfestival DIAGONALE took place at the Helmut List Halle in Graz. Sadly i couldn't be there (actually i was to tired). Anyhow. We started our day with a Film on Ute Bock called "die verrückte Welt der Ute Bock". Mixing fiction with documentary this film shows a view days in the Life of Ute Bock. If you would look at the movie acting and script wise - you would have to find it not watchable. But in this movie there are different issues that are being discussed. We won't tell you more ;) watch the movie. We would have loved to stay for the speech and discussions with Ute but we had to run to the next film called ARAB ATTRACTION by Andreas Horvath and Monika Muskala. To portrait the Islamic culture is very difficult although i liked how Mr. Horvath put the qestions. But this film does not need critics. Its criticizes its self. discussion with main character and director - Headshots  Another Film that should be mentioned is...

Our train got into Graz on time. Right in front of the train station we caught the tram to the Kunsthaus . Were a very friendly guy (called Sebastian - i was told) gave me my pass even before i told him my name. creepy. There is only one reason for this kind of behavior - it must be my amaaazing Picture on my pass. I forgot to send them a new one. upsi MB

Every year since 1998 hundreds of film lovers go on a pilgrimage to Austria's Film capitol GRAZ. This year, different from last year were i wasn't able to attend the spectacle due to work, i will be among these pilgrims. Reporting to you daily about the happenings taking place. And so far, i were told, Dough&Fruit will be the only Blog present at the Festival. Hurray for us! See you 2morrow in Graz at the opening Party. MB