MK AWARD for Best First Feature

THE FRIEND

DER FREUND

Directed by Micha Lewinsky

FRIDAY JANUARY 16 6:30 PM CASTRO

When talented young singer Larissa asks gawky Zurich student Emil to pretend to be her “boy friend” he readily agrees. Given that Emil has been trying to work up the courage just to talk to her, the request feels like a godsend. But before Emil has had the opportunity to play make-believe, Larissa’s sister, Nora, informs him that his “girlfriend” has died. When asked to meet the family and help plan the funeral, Emil - swept up by the first opportunity to act out the role he has desired for so long - simply goes along with it all. The easy acceptance by Larissa’s parents and sister turns Emil from a wallflower into a grown-up, assertive young man. For the first time in his life, he becomes an attractive partner for the ladies - and Nora seems to be the first person to notice.
“Scribe-helmer Lewinsky, who got his start as a screenwriter, weaves a subtle portrait of loss and personal growth.” --Boyd van Hoeij, Variety

IN PERSON: Micha Lewinsky

Co-presented by the SWISS CONSULATE GENERAL OF SAN FRANCISCO

PURCHASE TICKET

Northern California Premiere

Country
Switzerland
Year
2008
Run Time
35mm, 102min., German
with English subtitles
Cast
Philippe Graber
Johanna Bantzer
Andrea Bürgin
Michel Voïta
Emilie Welti
Camera
Pierre Mennel
Screenwriter
Micha Lewinsky
Printsource
media luna entertainment
Email
info@medialuna-entertainment.de
Awards
Swiss Film Awards 2008:
Best Feature Film, Best Emerging Actor (Philippe Graber)
Swiss Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film

Director

Micha Lewinsky
was born in 1972 in Kassel, Germany but grew up in Switzerland. Since 2000 he has been a writer for such films as WEIHNACHTEN (2002), LITTLE GIRL BLUE (2003) directed by Anna Luif, and STERNENBERG (2004) directed by Christoph Schaub. He has been directing since 2005. DER FREUND (2008) is his feature film debut.