Melbourne International Film Festival 2017
Bringing Germany to Australia
![Documentary: 'Revolution of Sound: Tangerine Dream' Documentary: 'Revolution of Sound: Tangerine Dream'](/resources/files/jpg622/695x300--tangerine-dream-formatkey-jpg-w320m.jpg)
When the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) takes over the city’s cinemas in August, movie magic isn’t the only thing it’ll be offering. Celebrating its 66th year, MIFF’s annual program serves up a feast of features, shorts and documentaries thanks to its 358-title selection, and an endurance test courtesy of its 18-day duration. For cinephiles eager for an international experience without leaving the comfort of their chairs, however, it also provides a window into the world around them.
From West Berlin's underground music scene to the Afghanistan film industry, and journeying along the Bulgarian border and through Greece, MIFF’s 2017 lineup ventures far and wide — and, for fans of German cinema, through the breadth and depth of the country’s films of late. Indeed, all four of the aforementioned places pop up in German-made or German co-produced movies, amongst a range of 27 features, three shorts and one virtual reality experience.
Must-see viewing
Of course, Revolution of Sound: Tangerine Dream isn’t just must-see viewing for lovers of German fare, but of movies in general, particularly the filmic treats from the 1980s. A portrait of the German synth-rockers still considered synonymous with cinema from the decade, the documentary explores their sound and their impact, including their Sorcerer, Thief, Risky Business, Firestarter and Legend soundtracks. Plus, it pairs nicely with another film-focused festival standout, French-German effort Nothingwood. Just don’t expect to have heard of the man at its centre, writer/actor/director Salim Shaheen; instead, prepare to discover his 111-film Afghani empire.
Lineup champions Germany’s global ties
It may seem that much of MIFF’s German-centric lineup champions the country’s global ties, and that observation proves accurate, especially where Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa is involved. A Gentle Creature continues his recent stint of German co-productions, with his concentration camp-set observational documentary Austerlitz also heading to Melbourne after screening at the Sydney Film Festival. Unsurprisingly, a sizeable array of SFF’s German selection will make its way to MIFF: Michael Haneke’s Happy End, Fatih Akin’s In the Fade, Helene Hegemann’s Axolotl Overkill and Julian Rosefeldt’s Manifesto lead the charge, alongside documentaries Beuys: Art as a Weapon and Dries, and Cannes titles The Square, Tehran Taboo and Jupiter’s Moon.
The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from August 3 to 20, 2017.