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Sisi & I

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Sisi & I
Theatrical release poster
GermanSisi & Ich
Directed byFrauke Finsterwalder
Written by
Produced by
  • Tobias Walker
  • Philipp Worm
Starring
CinematographyThomas W. Kiennast
Edited byAndreas Menn
Music byMatteo Pagamici
Production
companies
  • Walker + Worm Film
  • MMC Independent
  • C-Films AG
  • Dor Film Produktionsgesellschaft
Distributed by
  • DCM (Germany and Switzerland)
  • Panda Film (Austria)
Release dates
  • 19 February 2023 (2023-02-19) (Berlinale)[1]
  • 30 March 2023 (2023-03-30) (Austria, Germany and Switzerland)[2][3][4][5]
Running time
132 minutes[1]
Countries
Languages
Budget$41,208[8]

Sisi & I (German: Sisi & Ich) is a 2023 historical black comedy film directed by Frauke Finsterwalder, who co-wrote the screenplay with Christian Kracht. It stars Susanne Wolff as Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Sandra Hüller as Countess Irma Sztáray.[9] It tells a fictionalized story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria from the point of view of her lady-in-waiting, Irma Sztáray.[10] The film is an international co-production between Germany, Switzerland and Austria.[6] Sisi & I made its world premiere in the Panorama section of the 2023 Berlin Film Festival on 19 February 2023.[1][11] It was released theatrically in Austria by Panda Film, and in Germany and Switzerland by DCM on 30 March 2023.[2][4]

Finsterwalder won the 2023 Bavarian Film Award for Best Director for the film. It also received four nominations for the 2023 German Film Award, including Best Actress for Sandra Hüller, and won the award for Best Costume Design. The film also received the Austrian Film Award for Best Costume Design in 2024.

Plot

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Late in the 19th century. The single, middle-aged Hungarian countess Irma Sztáray, having rejected marriage and the convent, is forced by her overbearing mother to apply to be handmaiden to the increasingly reclusive Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi. An extravagant and temperamental woman, Sisi has been separated from her husband for many years and is living in an aristocratic women-only commune in Corfu, Greece. After a humiliating interview by her predecessor, Irma arrives at the estate seasick and heatstruck, and is immediately put through her paces by her new mistress. Though initially uncertain, Irma soon bows to the will of the Empress in all things, curbing her healthy appetite to match Sisi's obsessively restricted one and parting with her frou-frou ribbons and lace to adopt Sisi's preferred, Japanese-influenced style. Irma falls madly in love with the Empress, and as they travel from Corfu to Algiers, Bavaria to England, the two develop a co-dependent bond – though naturally, only as close as Sisi will allow. But when they return to Vienna, their lives change drastically. After her husband the Emperor rapes her, Sisi pressures Irma to murder her with a shiv, blaming an Italian anarchist.

Cast

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Production

[edit]

Development

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On 5 November 2019, Screen International announced that German sales company The Match Factory would handle international sales on Frauke Finsterwalder's upcoming period drama, whose working title was Sisi – Kaiserin Elisabeth (Sisi – Empress Elisabeth in English), and that it would begin shooting in autumn 2020 in Germany, Switzerland, Ireland and Morocco.[12]

Finsterwalder co-wrote the screenplay with her husband, the bestselling Swiss author Christian Kracht.[12] They had previously collaborated on Finsterwalder's first feature film, Finsterworld (2013), which starred Sandra Hüller, who plays Irma Sztáray in this film.[12] It was reported that their screenplay would tell the story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria through the eyes of her lady-in-waiting in a period in which she was surrounded only by other women and separated from her husband for many years.[12][13] Finsterwalder described it as "a feminist film full of biting dialogue, a gripping drama with elements of deep black comedy."[14]

In the film's 2019 press release, Finsterwalder said:

Films should try to create new mythologies. Empress Elisabeth was a radical, intelligent and modern woman, far more so than the Sissi with the double S that we all know. She was simply born a century too early.[14][12]

On 21 September 2020, the new working title was announced as Sisi und ich,[15] and it was reported that Susanne Wolff and Sandra Hüller had been cast to play Elisabeth (aka Sisi) and Irma, respectively.[15] Ella Rumpf, Stefan Kurt, Angela Winkler, Johannes Krisch, Maresi Riegner and Sophie Rois were also confirmed in the cast.[15][16] The title was changed again in 2022 to Sisi & Ich (Sisi & I).[3]

The film is a co-production between Germany's Walker + Worm Film, MMC Independent, Switzerland's C-Films and Austria's Dor Film.[6] It was shot entirely on Super 16 mm film.[7][17]

In an interview for Women and Hollywood in February 2023, Finsterwalder described the film as "a somewhat wild reinterpretation of the “Sisi” myth that isn't really bothered by historical facts."[10] When Finsterwalder started thinking about "Sisi" as a character, the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland about Michael Jackson had just been released, and due to her personal experiences, the issue of the notion of grooming was central, and this is how she began the story of Countess Irma.[10] "It is the aristotelian question: What is friendship? And why are friendships made? Out of sympathy? Out of love? Out of calculation? And what happens to friendship or love when the equilibrium of power is unbalanced?", Finsterwalder said.[10]

Filming

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Principal photography started on 20 September 2021 and wrapped on 15 November 2021.[7][18] Filming took place in Germany, Bavaria, Vienna, Malta and Switzerland.[7]

Marketing

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The film's first official German poster was unveiled on 15 November 2022.[19] A teaser trailer was released on 15 December 2022.[20]

Three clips from the film were unveiled in February 2023.[21][22][23]

Soundtrack

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The film features songs by Nico, Le Tigre, Dory Previn, Portishead, Pop Tarts, Would-Be-Goods, Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, and others.[10][17] Finsterwalder has said in interviews she only considered female voices for the soundtrack.[10]

Release

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The film was originally set to be released in spring 2022.[16] It made its world premiere at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on 19 February 2023.[1] It was scheduled to be released theatrically in Germany and Switzerland by DCM on 16 March 2023,[3][4] but the release date in both countries was pushed back to 30 March 2023.[2] Panda Film will release the film in Austria on the same day.[5] A companion book to the film featuring the entire screenplay, film stills, a behind the scenes look and a conversation between Frauke Finsterwalder and Christian Kracht was published on 29 March 2023.[24]

The runtime announced in 2022 was 110 minutes.[6] Shortly before the film's premiere at the 2023 Berlin Film Festival, the runtime announced on the festival's official website was 132 minutes.[1]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 65% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[25]

Susanne Gottlieb of Cineuropa wrote: "Tackling the Sisi story from an entirely new perspective, Frauke Finsterwalder offers a thought-provoking and entertaining glance at the famous empress", "refraining from making her that sweet little girl from the Ernst Marischka films with Romy Schneider, and similarly steering clear of reimagining her as a feminist icon, as recent media projects have done, is a tactic that works wonders for the character."[26] In France, Judith Beauvallet of Ecran Large wrote: "The image, for its part, is very pictorial in inspiration, each shot reminiscent of paintings from different periods, from Marie Laurencin to Edward Hopper via Auguste Toulmouche. Finsterwalder combines styles to create a universe that is extremely colorful in its melancholy."[27]

Awards and nominations

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In August 2023, Sisi & I was one of the 12 films shortlisted by Germany to be selected as the country's official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards.[28]

Year Award / Festival Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2023 73rd Berlin Film Festival Panorama Audience Award for Best Feature Film Frauke Finsterwalder Nominated [1]
Teddy Award - Best LGBT Feature Film Nominated [29]
German Camera Award Best Cinematography Thomas W. Kiennast Nominated [30]
German Film Award Best Actress Sandra Hüller Nominated [31]
Best Cinematography Thomas W. Kiennast Nominated [31]
Best Costume Design Tanja Hausner Won [32]
Best Sound Design Marco Teufen, Paul Rischer and Gregor Bonse Nominated [31]
Bavarian Film Awards Best Director Frauke Finsterwalder Won [33]
2024 Austrian Film Award Best Costume Design Tanja Hausner Won [34]
Best Set Design Katharina Wöppermann Nominated [35]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Berlinale | Programme - Sisi & Ich | Sisi & I". Berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Glavas, Ilija (16 December 2022). "Aristokratie. Anarchie. Obsession im ersten Teaser zu Sisi & Ich - Ab 30. März 2023 im Kino" [Aristocracy. Anarchy. Obsession in the first teaser for Sisi & I - in cinemas from March 30, 2023]. Kinomeister (in German). Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Sisi & Ich". DCM Stories (in German). Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Sisi und ich". ProCinema. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Sisi & Ich". film.at (in German). Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Sisi und ich". Austrian Film Institute. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d "Sisi und ich, Feature Film, 2021-2022". Crew United. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Sisi & I". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 22 August 2024.Edit this at Wikidata
  9. ^ "Sisi & I". DCM Stories. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Berger, Laura (17 February 2023). "Berlinale 2023 Women Directors: Meet Frauke Finsterwalder – "Sisi & I"". Women and Hollywood. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  11. ^ Roxborough, Scott (18 February 2023). "Berlin Completes Panorama Lineup With New Films With George MacKay, Sandra Huller and Joan Baez". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e Blaney, Martin (5 November 2019). "Match Factory boards fresh take on Austrian Empress 'Sisi'". Screen International. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021.
  13. ^ Schiefer, Karin (29 July 2021). "Im Gespräch mit Frauke Finsterwalder" [In conversation with Frauke Finsterwalder]. Austrian Film Institute (in German). Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  14. ^ a b Becher, Björn (4 November 2019). ""Sissi" wird endlich wieder "Sisi": Das steckt hinter dem modernen Kino-Comeback der Kult-Monarchin" ["Sissi" is finally "Sisi" again: This is what is behind the modern cinema comeback of the cult monarch]. Filmstarts (in German). Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Benedict, Daniel (21 September 2020). "Feministische Sisi mit Susanne Wolff und Sandra Hüller" [Feminist Sisi with Susanne Wolff and Sandra Hüller]. SVZ.de (in German). Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  16. ^ a b Angermaier, Heike (22 September 2020). "Besetzung für "Sisi und ich" steht". Blickpunkt:Film (in German). Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  17. ^ a b Gottlieb, Susanne (25 February 2023). "Interview: Frauke Finsterwalder • Director of Sisi & I". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  18. ^ Müller, Jochen (3 November 2021). "Am Set von "Sisi und ich"" [On the set of "Sisi and I"]. Blickpunkt:Film (in German). Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Poster zum Film Sisi & Ich - Bild 1" [Poster for the film Sisi & I - Image 1]. Filmstarts (in German). 15 November 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  20. ^ "SISI & ICH | Teaser | Ab 30. März im Kino" [SISI & I | Teaser | In Cinemas from March 30th]. YouTube (in German). 15 December 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Sisi & I - Clip 1 [de]". Cineuropa. February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Sisi & I - Clip 2 [de]". Cineuropa. February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  23. ^ "Sisi & I - Clip 3 [en]". Cineuropa. February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Sisi und Ich - Das Buch zum Film" [Sisi and I - The book for the film]. Kiepenheuer & Witsch (in German). Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Sisi and I". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  26. ^ Gottlieb, Susanne (20 February 2023). "Review: Sisi & I". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  27. ^ Beauvallet, Judith (23 October 2023). "Sissi & moi : critique impériale". Ecran Large (in French).
  28. ^ Roxborough, Scott (14 August 2023). "Oscars: 'Teachers' Lounge,' Wim Wenders' 'Anselm' on Germany's 2024 International Feature Shortlist". The Hollywood Reporter.
  29. ^ "Teddy Award - Press Kit 2023" (PDF). Teddy Award. p. 21. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  30. ^ Agnes, Uwe (3 March 2023). "33. Deutscher Kamerapreis: Die Nominierten stehen fest!" [33rd German Camera Award: The Nominees Have Been Chosen!]. Film & TV Camera (in German). Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  31. ^ a b c Roxborough, Scott (24 March 2023). "Oscar Winner 'All Quiet on the Western Front' Leads German Film Awards Nominations With 12". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  32. ^ Roxborough, Scott (12 May 2023). "'The Teachers' Lounge' Takes Top Prize at 2023 German Film Awards, Beating Oscar Winner 'All Quiet on the Western Front'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  33. ^ "Wir gratulieren den Preisträger:innen des Bayerischen Filmpreises 2023!" [Congratulations to the winners of the Bavarian Film Awards 2023!]. Deutsche Filmakademie (in German). 19 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  34. ^ "Österreichischer Filmpreis | Preisträger:innen 2024". Akademie des Österreichischen Films (in German). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Österreichischer Filmpreis | Nominierungen 2024". Akademie des Österreichischen Films (in German). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
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