Germany, Switzerland, Austria 2023Language:GermanSubtitles:EnglishDirector:Frauke FinsterwalderWriter:Frauke Finsterwalder, Christian KrachtCinematographer:Thomas W. KiennastEditor:Andreas MennSound:Paul RischerWith:Sandra Hüller, Susanne Wolff, Stefan Kurt, Georg Friedrich, Sophie Hutter, Johanna WokalekProducer:Philipp Worm, Tobias WalkerProduction Company:Walker+Worm FilmDistributor:DCM Film Distribution GmbH132 min, Colour

Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary lives on Corfu, free from any courtly etiquette and behaviour. She keeps her children and Emperor Franz Joseph away from the island. Instead, women live with her in a kind of commune. Amusement and entertainment must always be constantly provided, as the empress detests boredom – and being overweight. This energetic lifestyle places great demands on the ladies-in-waiting, and yet another change is imminent. The Hungarian Countess Irma is chosen as Sisi’s new lady-in-waiting. Sandra Hüller shines as the aristocratic Irma, who now finds herself on a tragicomic rollercoaster of emotions that, depending on the empress’ whims, can range from light-heartedness, love and happiness through to panic. 

Director's Biography:Frauke Finsterwalder, born 1975 in Hamburg, lived in the USA as a teenager and studied literature and history in Berlin. She then worked as an assistant director and freelance journalist before studying documentary direction. 

Director's Filmography:

2013 FINSTERWORLD
2010 DIE GROSSE PYRAMIDE (DOC)
2007 WEIL DER MENSCH EIN MENSCH IST (DOC)
2005 0,003 KM (SHORT)


Film image: © DCM Bernd Spauke