Here are 6 films we recommend you definitely try to see at the film festival Viennale 2024 (no spoilers, we promise!):
Nightbitch
When & where:
MON, October 21, 17:45pm @ Gartenbaukino (English version with German subtitles)
MON, October 28, 3:45pm @ Gartenbaukino (English version with German subtitles)
Film described in a few words: Based on a BookTok cult novel by Rachel Yoder, Nightbitch is a dark comedy about a woman grappling with the existential struggles of motherhood. Oh, and she also seems to be turning into a dog. She thinks. That’s all you need to know.
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
When & where:
FRI, October 18, 1:00pm @ Gartenbaukino (original version with English subtitles)
SUN, October 27, 3:15pm @ Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus (original version with English subtitles)
Film described in a few words: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl follows Shula as she navigates eerie scenes in middle-class Zambia. While her family thinks she’s too calm after her uncle’s death, Shula’s emotions are bubbling under the surface, ready to come out. As strange and surreal moments unfold, secrets start to creep into the light. Let’s just say, things aren’t as chill as they seem.
All We Imagine as Light
When & where:
MON, October 21, 12pm @ Gartenbaukino (original version with English subtitles)
TUE, October 29, 6pm @ Urania (original version with English subtitles)
Film described in a few words: Movie dives into the lives of three women working at a Mumbai hospital, each dealing with their own struggles. Prabha, a nurse, longs for her absent husband while balancing a new romantic interest. Anu finds herself in a forbidden love with a Muslim man, and Parvaty, a cleaning lady, prepares to leave the city for good.
The Room Next Door
When & where:
FRI, October 18, 10:15pm @ Gartenbaukino (English version with German subtitles)
SUN, October 20, 4:15pm @ Gartenbaukino (English version with German subtitles)
TUE, October 22, 6:30am @ Gartenbaukino (English version with German subtitles)
Film described in a few words: Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language feature, The Room Next Door, tells the story of Ingrid (Julianne Moore), a New York writer who reconnects with her terminally ill friend Martha (Tilda Swinton). Martha asks Ingrid to accompany her in her final days. What follows is a story of of life, ageing, memories, friendship, and love.
Dear Beautiful Beloved
When & where:
SUN, October 27, 5:30pm @ Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus (original version with German subtitles)
MON, October 28, 9:15pm @ Filmmuseum (original version with English subtitles)
Film described in a few words: Juri Rechinsky’s documentary focuses on the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the experiences of Ukrainian people on the sidelines of the war. It follows the elderly, sick, and wounded, showcasing the tireless efforts of caregivers amidst the chaos. The film is honest, direct, compassionate, and very human—something we all need to see.
A Real Pain
When & where:
WED, October 23, 6pm @ Gartenbaukino (English version with German subtitles)
SUN, October 27, 1:30pm @ Gartenbaukino (English version with German subtitles)
Film described in a few words: Kieran Culkin’s first project after Succession! An odd-couple dramedy about two cousins, David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who travel to Poland to pay tribute to their late grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, and connect with their Jewish roots. What could go wrong?