“Austria Dominates at 32nd Filmkunstfest: Corinna Harfouch and Chris Raiber Take the Top Prizes”

by Axel Seitz

There have been regular standing ovations for the guest of honor at the Filmkunstfest in recent years, but Schwerin has never seen the guest of honor moved to tears and overwhelmed.

Katharina Marie Schubert, actress and director of the 2022 film “The Girl with the Golden Hands” in which Harfouch plays the leading role, had previously given a very personal and heartfelt eulogy.

Harfouch: “The life’s work? It’s still going on”

Now Harfouch took the “Golden Ox” home with him: “Without exaggeration, I’m really very happy that I got this award. That’s not fishing for compliments – no, it’s more a question to yourself, where you say: Life’s work Let’s see? It goes a little further. What do we do then? “Explained the 68-year-old.

Twelve prizes have already been awarded before the “Golden Ox”. The Viennese Chris Raiber received the main prize in the feature film competition, the “Flying Oxen”, for his film “Stars under the City”. “I’m thrilled. I’m surprised. Actually surprised – and incredibly grateful,” said the Austrian.

NDR Director’s Prize for “Der Unkel” and “Alaska”

The second most important prize in the feature film competition – the NDR director’s prize – was shared by the jury: it went equally to the film “Der Onkel” – also from Austria – and to “Alaska” by director Max Geschlinski. In his acceptance speech, the Rostock native spoke of an “incredibly personal film” and a “great honor.” This year’s jury included long-standing Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick, actors Julia Richter and Rick Okon.

“A very nice family and cute atmosphere”
Rick Okon on the MV Filmfest

What has been experienced in Schwerin in the past few days: the cinema is alive, the audience has partly sold out the halls. Probably more than 14,000 people came to the 32nd Filmkunstfest – today is still a festival day. Visitors, the organizers are more than satisfied with this number.