11 films you need to see at this year's Viennale film festival 2020

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11 films you need to see at this year’s Viennale film festival 2020

It’s no doubt going to be a weird year for the Viennale with Corona floating about, it will also no doubt be wonderful considering the line-up of films it has in its program.

Here are 11 films we recommend you definitely try to see at the film festival Viennale 2020 (no spoilers, we promise!):

 

MISS MARX

When & where:
Various screening times at various cinemas. See the program for details.

Film described in a few words: historical, empowering, enlightening, a story of a inspiring modern woman, intimate

Original language (English) with German subtitles

Aufzeichungen aus der Unterwelt (notes from the underworld)

When & where:
FRI, October 23, 8:30pm @ Gartenbaukino
SAT, October 24, 5:45pm @ Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus
SUN, October 25, 2:30pm @ Gartenbaukino
THU, October 29, 8:30pm @ Votivkino
SUN, November 1, 6pm @ Admiralkino

Film described in a few words: the underbelly of Vienna (yes, there is and was one), Viennese gangsters with gangster-like charisma, with characters like Alois Schmutzer, a mythical figure from the Meidling district, who used to be as strong as a bear, and Kurt Girk from Ottakring, a rather fragile gentleman who used to perform Viennese songs at the city’s famous “Heurigen,” Vienna like you’ve never seen it before, built on a series of interviews

Original language (German) with English subtitles

 

Nomadland

When & where:
THU, October 29, 6pm @ Gartenbaukino
FRI, October 30, 8:30pm @ Gartenbaukino
SUN, November 1, 2:30pm @ Gartenbaukino

Film described in a few words: it won the Golden Lion in Venice, set in the American West. A woman of around 60 has decided to live in a RV following the death of her husband. She’s not homeless, she says, but houseless. In her travels, she introduces the viewer to a side of America not often seen on the big screen. Somehow heart-warming. Frances McDormand is in it. 

Original language (English) with German subtitles

 

Tito among the Serbs for the second time

When & where:
FRI, October 25, 8:15pm @ GARTENBAUKINO (English)
SUN, October 27, 2:30pm @ GARTENBAUKINO (English)

Film described in a few words: a smirk-worthy film in which the communist figure of ye’ ol’ Yugoslavia, Marshal Tito comes back from the dead in the 90s during a time of a severe economic crisis, comedic actor plays as Tito, at times confusing if what is happening on screen is actually happening and what it actually means

Original language with English subtitles

Imperial Irrigation

When & where:
FRI, October 23, 6:30pm @ Urania
SAT, October 24, 8:30pm @ Le Studio
MON, October 26, 12:45 @ Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus

Film described in a few words: a glitchy nightmare of a environmental calamity at California’s largest lake, the Salton Sea, a machinelike voice is the narrator, it’s a short (20 mins long)

Original language (English)

Mainstream

TUE, October 27, 9pm @ URANIA
WED, October 28, 11pm @ Gartenbaukino
FRI, October 30, 11pm @ Urania
SUN, November 1, 11:30am @ Gartenbaukino

Film described in a few words:a cautionary tale of three people struggling to preserve their identities as they form an oddball love triangle within the fast-moving internet age.

Original language (English)

Shirley

When & where:
TUE, October 27, 3pm @ Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus
THU, October 29, 11:15pm @ Gartenbaukino
FRI, October 30, 8:30pm @ Votivkino

Film described in a few words: Elisabeth Moss is in it, a popular horror writer finds inspiration for her up-coming book after she and her husband take in a young couple

Original language (English)

Slow Machine

When & where:
FRI, October 23, 8:30pm @ Filmcasino
MON, October 26, 4:15pm @ Urania
FRI, October 30, 11pm @ Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus

Film described in a few words: The plot is simple, but the characters and cinematography is strong: a tired and disillusioned actress Stephanie has just broken up with her guy, and she retreats to a house where a band is working on a record. This proves to be less of an escape than she imagined.

Eyimofe

When & where:
SUN, October 25, 6pm @ Admiralkino
MON, October 26, 6pm @ Filmcasino

Film described in a few words: Two people try to better their lives in Lagos Nigeria but fate in the form of tragedy has other plans for them

Original language (English)

City Hall

When & where:
SUN, October 25, 11am @ Urania
TUE, October 27, 6pm @ Blickle Kino

Film described in a few words: This is a ground-level look at the city of Boston in USA, and how the topics of racial justice, climate action and housing is being tackled

 

The Truffle Hunters

When & where:
SAT, November 1, 7pm @ Gartenbaukino
SUN, November 1, 8:30pm @ Filmcasino
SUN, November 1, 8:30pm @ Votivkino

Film described in a few words: A beautiful documentary set in the forests of Piedmont, Italy. It hones in on three men who hunt the rare and expensive white Alba truffle. Heart-warming and grounding in style and story.

Original language (Italian) with German subtitles

 

You can check out the full program of the Viennale on their website. 

 

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