Before the Berlinale Festival, Beta Cinema closed international sales for Joseph Goebbels' biopic "Führer and Seducer." The film is co-produced with Sandra Dujmovic (SWR), Maya Spol.s.r.o., and Act/HQ. It received funding from Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien, DFFF Deutscher Filmförderfonds, MFG, and the Slovak Audiovisual Fund. The biopic will be distributed in various European countries, including Spain (A Contracorriente), Portugal (Films4You), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Benelux (Dutch Film Works), Czech Republic (Donart Film), and former Yugoslavia (Discovery). It will also be released in Australia and New Zealand through Moving Story Entertainment and in Japan with AT Entertainment. Furthermore, the German company Wild Bunch will distribute the film in German-speaking territories.
"Führer and Seducer" follows Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany's notorious Minister of Propaganda, in his last seven years by Hitler's side. While Hitler was at the height of his power, Goebbels is the creator of the pictures of the flag-waving crowds and the anti-Semitic films "Jud Süß" and "Der ewige Jude," preparing the people for the mass murder of the Jews. After the defeat at Stalingrad and the situation becoming increasingly hopeless in late 1944, Goebbels plans the most radical propaganda act, his last staging, with Hitler's suicide, the murder of his family, and his suicide
Thomas Weber, Professor of History and Int. Affairs at the University of Aberdeen & Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University is a historical advisor to the film. He referred to the complexity of the historical character. “'Führer and Seducer' deconstruct the propaganda of Joseph Goebbels. The film is based on the latest historical research. It reveals to viewers the tricks by which and to what murderous effect Goebbels created seemingly authentic images, speeches, and film sequences that have become so burned in our minds that they have become our frame of reference when discussing the Third Reich and the Shoah. The film deconstructs Goebbels more effectively than a documentary format could since documentaries easily fall prey to the audio-visual legacy Nazi propagandists left behind. Joachim Lang puts an end to the underestimation and trivialization of Goebbels' Nazi propaganda without ever diminishing the responsibility of millions of Germans for the crimes of the Third Reich," he stated.
Finally, after seeing the film upfront, several contemporary witnesses granted their full support. Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer alluded to the modern need to grasp the gravity of the Holocaust: "The movie touched me - it's essential because what happened can happen again so quickly. People can be manipulated and seduced so easily. The danger starts when people no longer respect other people. Everyone should be aware of the danger and watch out. Only those who are aware of the danger of seduction can consciously deal with all the influences from the media. We must stand up for our democracy and freedom and maintain respect for every single person," he said.
NEW HIGHLIGHT
The German company Beta Cinema has announced the acquisition of the rights to the upcoming film by director Morgan Mathews. Academy Award-nominated Bill Nighy is set to star as the grandfather of Roman Griffin Davis from "Jojo Rabbit" in an exciting road movie. The story revolves around a fractured family that must reunite when sixteen-year-old Finn (Davis) and his lively younger brother Charlie run away from troubles at home in England to reach their estranged grandfather (Nighy) on the wild west coast.
Former Head of BBC Film David Thompson ("Billy Elliot," "Notes on a Scandal", "Woman in Gold." "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom") is producing with Alex Gordon and Keren Misgav Ristvedt for UK's Origin Pictures ("Hope Gap," "Sense of an Ending," "A Brilliant Young Mind"), Martina Niland ("Once," "Sing Street") from Dublin based Port Pictures, and the British Minnow Films. The project is being prepped to shoot in Kerry, Ireland, later in 2024.
Tassilo Hallbauer, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at Beta Cinema, provided details about the team's assembly. "We are delighted to launch "500" Miles at EFM. The script takes us on an emotional, often hilariously funny, yet deeply moving journey through some of the most beautiful parts of the UK and Ireland. In "Jojo Rabbit", Roman Griffin Davis demonstrated his brilliant talent for portraying deep character roles with a unique sense of humour. With Bill Nighy's involvement following his pivotal, Oscar-nominated performance in Living, Origin Pictures are assembling a dream cast. "500 Miles" offers top-tier escapism and will resonate with international audiences of all ages."
David Thompson of Origin Pictures adds," We are delighted to launch this wonderful project with such a brilliant cast and director. "500 Miles" is both hilarious and heart-wrenching and ultimately rather life-affirming. It has such an original take on the world and will be a truly unforgettable film," noted.