New at the movies - The movie releases of the week
New films by Simon Verhoeven and Wim Winders, plus a comedy from France, a Chinese sci-fi spectacle and the adventures of a duck family.
"Shakespeare in cycling shorts" - Milli Vanilli film
The story of Milli Vanilli began 35 years ago in Munich - but a few years later it was already over. The reason: possibly the biggest fraud scandal in pop history. When it became known in the early 1990s that Robert "Rob" Pilatus and Fabrice "Fab" Morvan had never sung their hits themselves, but had only moved their lips to the voices of others, an outcry went through the music world. Director Simon Verhoeven ("Männerherzen") is now bringing the story behind this scandal to the big screen.
Girl You Know It's True, Germany/France 2023, 124 min., FSK from 12 years, by Simon Verhoeven, with Matthias Schweighöfer, Tijan Njie, Elan Ben Ali
"Perfect Days" by Wim Wenders
The new film by iconic director Wim Wenders is set in Tokyo and tells the story of a man named Hirayama (Koji Yakusho). The camera follows the man, who works as a toilet cleaner and seems content with his simple life, almost like a documentary. He lives alone, likes to read and listens to rock music. Little by little, viewers learn more about Hirayama's past.
Perfect Days, Germany/Japan 2023, 125 min., FSK from 0/o.A. years, by Wim Wenders, with Koji Yakusho, Tokio Emoto
"Monsieur Blake at your service": comedy with John Malkovich
Paris (dpa) - Since the death of his wife, Andrew Blake has lost the joy of life. Inconsolable, the successful British entrepreneur decides to return to France to the castle of Beauvillier, where he met his late wife over 40 years ago. But his stay turns out differently than he had hoped. With the comedy "Monsieur Blake at Your Service", Gilles Legardinier presents his first directorial work. The film is based on his successful novel "Complètement cramé", which has been published in 22 countries and 17 languages. For his first directorial work, Legardinier brought American actor John Malkovich in front of the camera. Opposite him, Fanny Ardant plays Nathalie Beauvillier, the completely impoverished owner of the magnificent estate, with graceful elegance.
Monsieur Blake at your service, France, Luxembourg, 2023, 110 min, FSK o.A., by Gilles Legardinier, with John Malkovich, Fanny Ardant, Philippe Bas
Sequel to the hit movie: "The Wandering Earth II"
A space adventure from the Far East with a not so far-fetched doomsday scenario: "The Wandering Earth II" will appeal to connoisseurs of the Chinese cinema scene and fans of disaster films. Filled with special effects, the film by director Frant Gwo can hold its own with Hollywood. The film's Chinese origins are evident in the story. Fight scenes typical of Asian films are juxtaposed with huge explosions, and of course there is also a love story. Its predecessor "The Wandering Earth" was a box-office hit, which the industry magazine "Hollywood Reporter" described as "China's first large-scale interstellar spectacle".
The Wandering Earth II, China 2022, 173 minutes, by Frant Gwo, with Andy Lau, Jing Wu, Zhi Wang
"Out of the Pond": Duck family goes on an adventure trip
In "Out of the Pond", a duck family sets off on a journey to the south that turns into a real adventure. Colorful and with great images, the film tells of friendship, courage and solidarity. In German, Elyas M'Barek and Nazan Eckes, among others, lend their voices to the ducks.
Out of the Pond, USA 2023, 92 minutes, FSK 0, by Benjamin Renner, with the voices of Elyas M'Barek, Nazan Eckes
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Read also:
- The movie releases of the week
- Bathing in chocolate - Timothée Chalamet is "Wonka"
- Sandra Hüller nominated for Critics Choice Awards
- 88 countries in the race for foreign Oscars - Germany among them
- The 1990s witnessed the rise and fall of the pop duo Milli Vanilli, marked by a major fraud scandal.
- The Milli Vanilli story is set to be retold in a movie directed by German filmmaker Simon Verhoeven, best known for "Männerherzen".
- Besides Simons' film, the German-French production "Girl You Know It's True" also graces the cinemas, with Matthias Schweighöfer and Tijan Njie in the lead roles.
- In the same year, iconic director Wim Wenders presents "Perfect Days," set in Tokyo, telling the story of a simple man through the eyes of a camera.
- Actors like Koji Yakusho and Tokio Emoto will star in this Wenders' masterpiece, promising a deep dive into human emotions.
- Apart from these, the comedy "Monsieur Blake at your service," featuring John Malkovich, will be another highlight of French cinema this year.
- John Malkovich will share the screen with Fanny Ardant in this heartwarming story centering around a restless British entrepreneur.
- Movie enthusiasts should also keep an eye out for the sequel to the Chinese interstellar spectacle "The Wandering Earth II," filled with special effects and love stories.
- Lastly, an animated adventure film called "Out of the Pond" featuring the voices of Elyas M'Barek and Nazan Eckes will also hit the theatres, showcasing the journey of a duck family.
Source: www.stern.de
