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Casting

Forum 2017
For her first television film – a remake of Fassbinder’s Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant – director Vera wants the perfect cast. But the first day of shooting is fast approaching and the numerous casting sessions have yet to find a suitable actress to play the leading role. Although the producer and crew are getting ever more exasperated with Vera, Gerwin is happy about the extra work, as he earns his money as an audition reader, delivering the lines of dialogue to the starry candidates at the various castings. When the male lead suddenly has to back out, Gerwin thinks that this might just be his chance.
Director Nicolas Wackerbarth captures the complex essence of Fassbinder’s film and simultaneously creates a profound work of his own. Casting takes an unflinching look at the murky depths of human relationships driven by power, passion and desperation. Yet Wackerbarth also brings bitter truths to light about power relations and dependencies in the German television industry almost in passing. Casting is both intelligent and entertaining, marked by exciting turning points, humour and the breathtaking acting performances by a truly virtuoso ensemble.
by Nicolas Wackerbarth
with Andreas Lust, Judith Engel, Ursina Lardi, Corinna Kirchhoff, Andrea Sawatzki, Milena Dreissig, Nicole Marischka, Stephan Grossmann, Marie-Lou Sellem Germany 2017 German 91’ Colour

With

  • Andreas Lust (Gerwin)
  • Judith Engel (Vera)
  • Ursina Lardi (Almut Dehlen)
  • Corinna Kirchhoff (Luise Maderer)
  • Andrea Sawatzki (Annika Strassmann)
  • Milena Dreissig (Ruth)
  • Nicole Marischka (Hanne)
  • Stephan Grossmann (Manfred)
  • Marie-Lou Sellem (Mila Ury-Tesche)

Crew

Director Nicolas Wackerbarth
Screenplay Nicolas Wackerbarth, Hannes Held
Cinematography Jürgen Carle
Editing Saskia Metten
Sound Design Jürgen Kramlofsky
Sound Tom Doepgen
Production Design Klaus-Peter Platten
Producer Franziska Specht
Commissioning Editor Katharina Dufner, Jan Berning

Produced by

SWR – Südwestrundfunk

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Nicolas Wackerbarth

Born in Munich in 1973. He studied acting in Munich, then direction at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (dffb). Nicolas Wackerbarth is co-editor of the film magazine “Revolver”. As well as working as a director, writer, and actor, Nicolas Wackerbarth teaches at various art schools and at the dffb.

Filmography

2004 Anfänger; 30 min. 2006 Westernstadt; 38 min. 2007 Halbe Stunden; 20 min. 2011 Unten Mitte Kinn; 89 min. 2013 Halbschatten (Everyday Objects); 80 min., Berlinale Forum 2013 2017 Casting

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2018