Following its world premiere in the competition section of the Berlin Film Festival, Beta Cinema has revealed first sales across Europe and to Australia and New Zealand for Andreas Dresen’s “From Hilde, With Love.”
The drama about anti-Nazi activists in Berlin, which is led by “Babylon Berlin’s” Liv Lisa Fries and introduces Johannes Hegemann in his first big screen appearance, will be released in France by Haut et Court, in Italy by Teodora and throughout Scandinavia by Angel Films. Beta Cinema also closed deals for Benelux (September Film), Portugal (Outsider), former Yugoslavia (Discovery), Hungary (Cirko) and Czech Republic (Film Europe). Palace Film picked up the film for Australia and New Zealand. Pandora Filmverleih will release the film in the German-speaking territories in October.
PvNew film critic Catherine Bray praised “From Hilde, With Love” as “eternally urgent and relevant” and Fries’ performance was praised in the international trades. German director Andreas Dresen (“Stopped on Track,” “Cloud 9”) directed from a script written by Laila Stieler (Silver Berlin Bear winner for “Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush”). Judith Kaufmann, who also worked on Oscar nominee “The Teacher’s Lounge,” lensed the story.
The film is set in Berlin in 1942, when Hilde falls madly in love with Hans and is joyfully pregnant. But amid the passion there is grave danger. Hans becomes involved in the anti-Nazi resistance, with a group of young people who will later be called the Red Orchestra. Despite the huge risks, Hilde decides to get involved herself but is arrested by the Gestapo and gives birth to her son in prison. Now in a desperate situation, Hilde develops a quiet inspirational strength, but she only has a few months left with her son.
(Read the PvNew interview with Dresen here.)
“From Hilde, With Love” is produced by Pandora Film Produktion in co-production with Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, Kinoinitiative Leuchtstoff and Arte in collaboration with Ziegler Film and Iskremas.
Thorsten Ritter, exec VP acquisitions, sales and marketing at Beta Cinema stated: “’From Hilde, With Love’ made a huge impression on the international audience and buyers in Berlin. Andreas Dresen managed to create a highly topical film, with a rather silent heroine, whose small and larger actions against an oppressive regime should inspire audiences around the world. We are proud to announce first deals today.”
