‘God Between Us’ is a film about freedom as much as about the very limits of it. Questioning her own extended family's relationship with the Protestant religion, filmmaker Rebecca Hirneise transforms the space opened by the camera lens into one of encounter and debate. The result can only be contradictory: the discussions venture far, into psychological depths and intimate motivations – or not. Basing itself on one's relationship with God, the film draws concentric circles around the idea of faith, from simple curiosity to obtuse fanaticism directed against the opinions of others. A painting much familiar to Austria’s religious population perfectly describes this diversity of opinion: on the one side we see a wide open gate to a road full of people having fun, culminating in a disastrous fire; and, on the other side, a shy, hidden entrance leading to fulfilment in heaven. The filmmaker tries to find a path between these two alternatives that also suits her own convictions – and, at the same time, seeks to challenge her family members to an introspective gesture so as to reveal more of who they really are. (Victor Morozov)
Cinematography Tilmann Rödiger
Editing Florian Kecht
Screenplay Rebecca Hirneise, Philipp Diettrich
Production Ruth Beckermann
Sound Cristi Iorga
Cast Birgit Arnold, Conny Epple, Volker Epple, Rebecca Hirneise, Anette Kirschner, Reinhold Kirschner, Martha Kirschner, Otto Kirschner, Evmarie Klein, Hartmut Klein, Hanna Moser
Producing company Ruth Beckermann Filmproduktion
Distributor Austrian Films
AUDIO: German
SUBTITLE: Romanian, English
07
April,
Sunday
Cinema Union
6:00 PM
90'
The director will be present for a Q&A after the screening
Rebecca Hirneise
Rebecca Hirneise
Rebecca Hirneise was born and raised in Mühlacker, a small town in southern Germany and has been living and working in Vienna for many years. She studied Media Art at the University for Art and Design in Karlsruhe, as well as Directing and Screenwriting at the Vienna Film Academy. Her background also includes photography and experimental filmmaking.