The Ordinaries is a 2022 German science fiction tragicomedy film[1] directed by Sophie Linnenbaum (in her directorial debut) who co-wrote with Michael Fetter Nathansky.[2] It stars Fine Sendel.[3] It is about Paula who is a supporting character who wants to be a lead like her dead father did whose inconsistencies surrounding his death will make her question her world.[4]

The Ordinaries
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySophie Linnenbaum
Written bySophie Linnenbaum
Michael Fetter Nathansky
Produced byLaura Klippel
Britta Strampe
StarringFine Sendel
CinematographyValentin Selmke
Edited byKai Eiermann
Music byFabian Zeidler
Production
companies
Bandenfilm
Das kleine Fernsehspiel
Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf
Distributed byNotsold
Port au Prince Pictures
Release dates
  • 27 June 2022 (2022-06-27) (München)
  • 30 March 2023 (2023-03-30) (Germany)
Running time
124 minutes
CountryGermany
LanguageGerman

The Ordinaries had its international premiere at the 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 3, 2022, where it competed for the Crystal Globe.[5]

Synopsis

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In a repressive three class-society, Paula, a simple supporting character, is about to face the most important test of her life: she has to prove she deserves to be a lead. She is at the top of her class at the Main Character School – but so far has failed in generating great emotional music. In search of a solution, she finds herself in the abyss of the cinematic world, on the fringes of the storyline and lost amongst the Outtakes.[6]

Cast

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The actors participating in this film are:[7][8]

  • Fine Sendel as Paula Feinmann
  • Jule Böwe as Elisa Feinmann
  • Henning Peker as Maid Hilde
  • Noah Tinwa as Simon
  • as Henry F. Dotter
  • Sira-Anna Faal as Hannah Cooper
  • Denise M'Baye as Frau Dr. Cooper
  • Pasquale Aleardi as Herr Cooper
  • Noah Bailey as Elio Cooper
  • Benita Sarah Bailey as Police woman
  • Paul Michael Stiehler as Leon
  • Christian Steyer as Feinmann
  • Birgit Berthold as Clara

Release

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Festivals

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The Ordinaries had its world premiere on June 27, 2022, at the Munich International Film Festival,[9] then screened on July 3, 2022, at the 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it competed for the Crystal Globe,[10] on August 25, 2022, at the Fünf Seen Filmfestival,[11] at the end of September 2022 at the 18th Zurich Film Festival,[12] on November 12, 2022, at the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival,[13] on January 30, 2023, at the 46th Göteborg Film Festival,[14] on March 10, 2023, at the South by Southwest Film Festival[15] and on March 24, 2023, at the 27th Berlin & Beyond Film Festival.[16]

Theatrical

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It was released commercially on March 30, 2023, in German theaters[17] to later expand to the Australian market on July 6, 2023.[18]

Reception

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Critical reception

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Jonathan Romney from Screen Daily highlights the narrative capacity of the production, calling it twisted and ingenious, although it can become complicated for the viewer due to the complexity of the themes. Also, praises the production design, sound design, and cinematography reminiscent of East Germany.[19] Ricardo Gallegos from La Estatuilla concludes that it is a fascinating and fun film, as well as being creative in building and shaping the foundations of the parallel cinematographic world that the director and her co-writer wrote despite the fact that the basic idea is simple and not very innovative.[20]

Accolades

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Year Award / Festival Category Recipient Result Ref.
2022 Munich International Film Festival German Cinema New Talent Award - Best Director Sophie Linnenbaum Won [21][22]
German Cinema New Talent Award - Best Producer Britta Strampe & Laura Klippel Won
German Cinema New Talent Award - Best Screenplay Sophie Linnenbaum & Michael Fetter Nathansky Nominated
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Crystal Globe The Ordinaries Nominated [23]
New Faces Award Best Debut Film Sophie Linnenbaum Won [24]
Zurich Film Festival Focus Competition - Best Film The Ordinaries Nominated [25]
International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience SCHLiNGEL Children's and Youth Film Award of the Goethe-Institut Won [26]
Exground Filmfest Audience Award Won [27]
Filmkunstfest MV Förderpreis der DEFA-Stiftung - Jury Prize Won [28]
2023 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Emerging Filmmaker Award Sophie Linnenbaum Nominated [29]
Special Jury Prize Won
German Film Award Best Costume Design Josefine Lindner & Max-Josef Schönborn Nominated [30]
Best Visual Effects Johannes Blech Nominated
Glasgow Film Festival Audience Award The Ordinaries Nominated [31]
Cinedays Festival of European Film Golden Star Won [32]
Best Screenplay Sophie Linnenbaum & Michael Fetter Nathansky Won

References

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  1. ^ Kelly, Laura (2023-03-01). "The Ordinaries: Sophie Linnenbaum's feature film debut is a sci-fi spotlight on inequality". The Big Issue. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  2. ^ Simon, Alissa (2022-07-01). "'The Ordinaries' Director Sophie Linnenbaum on 'Mechanisms of Exclusion'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  3. ^ Zander, Peter (2023-03-30). ""The Ordinaries": Voll von der Film-Rolle". www.morgenpost.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  4. ^ "THE ORDINARIES". FILM OHNE GRENZEN. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  5. ^ Barraclough, Leo (2022-06-01). "The Match Factory Boards 'The Ordinaries' Ahead of Karlovy Vary Competition Screening (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  6. ^ "The Ordinaries - The Match Factory". www.the-match-factory.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  7. ^ Alle besetzung und Stab von The Ordinaries (in German), retrieved 2023-08-17
  8. ^ "The Ordinaries | filmportal.de". www.filmportal.de. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  9. ^ "Films 23/06/ - 02/07/2022". 2022-12-03. Archived from the original on 2022-12-03. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  10. ^ "Crystal Globe Competition". www.kviff.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  11. ^ "Fünf Seen Filmfestival 16 (24. August bis 4. September 2022) | Filmjournalisten.de" (in German). 2022-08-23. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  12. ^ The Ordinaries - Zurich Film Festival (in German), retrieved 2023-08-17
  13. ^ "The Ordinaries". poff.ee. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  14. ^ "The Ordinaries". Göteborg Film Festival (in Swedish). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  15. ^ "The Ordinaries". SXSW 2023 Schedule. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  16. ^ "The Ordinaries". 27th Berlin & Beyond Film Festival 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  17. ^ Freund, Nicolas (2023-03-29). ""The Ordinaries" im Kino: Bereit für die Großaufnahme". Süddeutsche.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  18. ^ "The Ordinaries". FilmInk. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  19. ^ Romney, Jonathan. "'The Ordinaries': Munich Review". Screen. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  20. ^ Gallegos, Ricardo (2023-08-15). "Crítica: "Los ordinarios", un loco viaje cinematográfico (22 Semana de Cine Alemán)". La Estatuilla. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  21. ^ "The Ordinaries von Sophie Linnenbaum gewinnt Preis beim Filmfest München". FAZ.NET (in German). 2022-07-02. ISSN 0174-4909. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  22. ^ Blaney, Martin. "Sophie Linnenbaum's 'The Ordinaries' triumphs at Filmfest München". Screen. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  23. ^ Pond, Steve (2022-07-09). "'Summer With Hope,' 'Word' Win Top Prizes at Karlovy Vary Film Festival". TheWrap. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  24. ^ "Lea Drinda, Milan Herms und Sophie Linnenbaum gewinnen Bunte New Faces Award Film | Burda News". www.burda.com (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  25. ^ "AWARD WINNERS 2022". Zurich Film Festival (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  26. ^ "Winners | SCHLINGEL - Internationales Filmfestival". ff-schlingel.de. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  27. ^ "Press Release – 22 November 2022: exground filmfest 35: Announcing This Year's Award Winners – exground filmfest 36" (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  28. ^ Golze, Katharina (2022-08-30). "(Plus) Filmkunstfest 2022: Zehn Filme im Spielfilmwettbewerb | SVZ". svz.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  29. ^ "42nd Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival - APRIL 13-27, 2023 – MSPIFF42 AWARD WINNERS". MSP Film Society. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  30. ^ Roxborough, Scott (2023-05-12). "'The Teachers' Lounge' Takes Top Prize at 2023 German Film Awards, Beating Oscar Winner 'All Quiet on the Western Front'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  31. ^ Tabbara, Mona. "'Riceboy Sleeps' wins Glasgow audience award as festival co-director bids fond farewell". Screen. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  32. ^ Lazarevska, Marina. "FESTIVALS: The Ordinaries Wins 2023 Cinedays in North Macedonia - FilmNewEurope.com". www.filmneweurope.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
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