Germany-Slovenia
WARCHILD
CREDITS
35mm - color - 103’
Direction: Cristian Wagner
Script: Edin Hadžimahović, Stefan Daehnert
Photography: Thomas Mauch
Editing: Jens Klüber
Music: Konstantia Gourzi, Xaver Naudasher
Sound: Tom Weber
Cast: Labina Mitevska, Senad Bašić, Katrin Sass, Crescentia Dünsser, Otto Kukla, Miranda Leonhardt, Heinrich Schmieder, Zdenko Jelčić.
Producer: Cristian Wagner, Coproducer Dunja Klemenc
Production: Cristian Wagner Film, Pütrichsraße 28, 81667 München, Germany, Tel 0049 (0)89488453, email: info@wagnerfilm.de
Coproduction: Studio MAJ – SWR - BR – arte – Viba Film
World sales: Wagner Film, Pütrichsraße 2/D, 81667 München, Germany, Tel 0049 (0)89488453, Fax +49 89 48 71 24, email: sales@wagnerfilm.de
SYNOPSIS
A young mother, Senada, loses her child in the Bosnian war. Many years later, today, she learns that her child is still alive: with adopted parents in Germany. She sets off on a search for Aida, her daughter. Using her own resources, she travels illegally to Germany. Her odyssey ends at the home of the German couple, Heinle. But Aida is no longer the small child of the past. Her name is now Kristina. Senada is disturbed by this realization. She slowly grasps the fact that she must say goodbye to the beautiful, peaceful dream that has long ago been stolen from her.
THE DIRECTOR: CRISTIAN WAGNER
Born in Immerstadt, Germany in 1959. Cristian Wagner completed his first full-lenght 8 mm film (Der Prophetor) while he was still in secondary school. Rejected three times at film schools he then went on to study German literature, Theater and Psycology in Munich. This was followed 1982-84 by Born to Be Free in Captivity which received a number prizes. In 1985 he joined up with Nico Hoffman, Jan Schütte, Werner Penzel, Nico Humbert and other to found an alternative film distribution cooperative called “Der andere Blick”.
His breaktrought came in 1988 with his first feature film Wallers Last Trip. Among other prizes, it was given the German Federal Prize in 1989 and the Bavarian Film Prize in 1988. his second major feature film Transatlantis, was the official German entry for the International Film Festival in Berlin. Transatlantis (1994), was also shown at the Montreal World Film Festival.
He is just about to prepare Adieu, Europa! and Alcatrash - Balkan Blues Trilogy I.
In addition to being a producer, director and author, Cristian Wagner has also conducted directing workshops all over the world under the auspices of the Goethe Film Institute. Since 1995 he has been a lecturer in film direction and acting at Baden-Württemberg’s film academy in Ludwigsburg. He lives in Munich.
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Warchild is a modern, passionate story of a strong woman ill-served by destiny, but who nonethless forges on. Despite the excitement and dramatic climax, the story has an open ending. Viewers are left with questions: Should the girl retourn to her biological mother, or would it be for the best if she stayed with the adoptive parents? Should the 12-year-old decide for herself?
To me, a powerful film is a film that lingers in your mind. Even if you have already left the movie theatrer and you are walking home in the dark, you still find yourself contemplating about the insights gained into the depth, soul, and authenticity of human existence. That is why the soundtrack continues to play for a few moments after the credits have disappeared and while a bleck screen is shown...
FILMOGRAPHY
2005/06 Warchild - Balkan Blues Trilogy II Director/Producer
2001/2 Ghetto-kids Director
2000 Ten Crazy Days Director
1996/97 Zita - Balkan Blues Trilogy I Director
1993/94 Transatlantis Director/Script/Producer
1989/90 Train Director/Script
1985/88 Wallers Last Trip Director/Script/Producer
1982/84 Born to Be Free in Captivity Director/Script/Producer
1980/81 Der Prophetor Director/Script/Producer
SELECTED FESTIVAL AND AWARDS
2006 Bavarian Film Award / Special Award
2006 Montréal World Film Festival / Best Screenplay
