My Blind Heart

My Blind Heart (German title Mein blindes Herz) is an Austrian feature film drama written, directed and edited by Peter Brunner. The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam[1] and Slamdance Film Festival[2] in Park City, Utah, in January/February 2014 and was nominated for a Golden Frog at the prestigious Camerimage Film Festival in November 2014.[3]

My Blind Heart
Film poster
German: Mein blinders Herz
Directed byPeter Brunner
Written byPeter Brunner
Produced by
  • Klara von Veegh
  • Therese Seemann
Starring
CinematographyFranz Dude
Edited byPeter Brunner
Production
company
Cataract Vision
Release date
  • January 2014 (2014-01)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryAustria
LanguageGerman

Plot

Kurt is a 29-year-old marine biologist who suffers from the rare disease Marfan syndrome, which makes him almost blind as well as giving him a very peculiar appearance. After his dream of working at a Shark School is shattered, Kurt kills his mother, with whom he has a suffocating relationship and sets out on a journey to rebel against his body and the limits society tries to set for him. A short stay at a care home results in chaos and him getting kicked out, and he ends up on the streets where he befriends 13-year-old runaway Conny. Conny becomes his partner in crime during his protesting actions, not knowing what Kurt's motives are. Finally, Kurt manages to use a former friend from the care home, Roberto, to help him achieve his ultimate goal.

Cast
  • Christos Haas as Kurt
  • Jana McKinnon as Conny
  • Susanne Lothar as Mother
  • Georg Friedrich as Paul
  • Robert Schmiedt as Roberto
  • Christopher Schärf as David

Reception

The film was mostly well received by critics. Variety's Dennis Harvey called it "a visually arresting black-and-white debut"[4] while Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter said that it was "boasting scintillating visuals, revolutionary ideology which charges social norms head on, and powerful performances from its cast".[5]

Accolades

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2014 Slamdance Film Festival Jury Award for Narrative Feature Peter Brunner Nominated
International Film Festival Rotterdam HIVOS Tiger Award Peter Brunner Nominated
Brooklyn Film Festival Grand Chameleon Award Peter Brunner Nominated
Brooklyn Film Festival Certificates of Outstanding Achievement Cinematography Franz Dude Won[6]
Brooklyn Film Festival Certificates of Outstanding Achievement Actor Male Christos Haas Won
Andrey Tarkovsky Film Festival "Zerkalo" Special Jury Mention Peter Brunner Won[7]
Durban International Film Festival Award for Artistic Bravery Peter Brunner Won[8]
New Horizons Film Festival Grand Prize Peter Brunner Nominated
Camerimage Golden Frog Franz Dude Nominated

References
  1. "Rotterdam completes line up Hivos Tiger Awards Competition - IFFR.COM - International Film Festival Rotterdam 2015 - IFFR". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  2. Dawson, Nick (3 December 2013). "Slamdance 2014 Lineup Announced". Filmmaker.
  3. Roxborough, Scott (29 October 2014). "'Fury', 'Wild' and 'Get on Up' in Camerimage Competition". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  4. Harvey, Dennis (January 22, 2014). "Film Review: 'My Blind Heart'". Variety.
  5. Tsui, Clarence (27 January 2014). "My Blind Heart (Mein Blindes Herz): Rotterdam Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  6. "My Blind Heart". Brooklyn Film Festival. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  7. "Дневник фестиваля/ Конкурс "Мое слепое сердце" - Дневник фестиваля - Новости - Фестиваль 2014 – Tarkovskyfest.ru". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  8. "Durban International Film Festival Announces Award Winners for 2014". National Film and Video Foundation. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
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