Countdown in Cannes: NRW-funded production „Toni Erdmann“ still the favourite

• Maren Ade’s „Toni Erdmann“ delights audience, critics and industry
• Sandra Hüller and Peter Simonischek shine in the leads
• Berlin’s Komplizenfilm produced, Cologne’s The Match Factory is handling world sales
• Film- und Medienstiftung NRW supported the project as main funder

The countdown is on at the Croisette: just two more days before the jury of the 69th Festival de Cannes announces the prize-winners of the 2016 edition on Sunday. Whether it is the „Golden Palm“, „Jury Grand Prix“ or one of the numerous other awards – each prize at the world’s most important film festival is something rather special.

The Filmstiftung-funded competition entry „Toni Erdmann“ was still generating positive headlines more than a week after its first screening. The first German competition entry for eight years, the new film by Maren Ade with Sandra Hüller and Peter Simonischek in the leads continues to delight audience, critics and industry alike.

„La sensation allemande“ was how the French press described the film last weekend. Germany’s dpa wrote „A German film in competition has delighted the international critics so much that they are absolutely euphoric¨, the Frankfurter Rundschau is convinced that „there is a German favourite in Cannes“ and the ARD-„tagesschau“ reported: „Many critics think that Maren Ade is a contender for the Golden Palm.“

„Toni Erdmann“’s 3.8 points were the highest rating ever given by the critics in the international trade magazine Screen in Cannes. The Cologne-based sales company The Match Factory had posted sales within a very short time to more than 20 countries and regions, including North and Latin America, Great Britain, Italy, Scandinavia, Australia and China.
The cast and crew, funders, critics and audience are now waiting with bated  breath for the awards ceremony on Sunday evening.

„After so much excitement and advance laurels, we’ll now be crossing our fingers for Maren Ade and the whole team!“, says Petra Müller, CEO of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. „Whatever happens on Sunday, ‚Toni Erdmann‘ can now already be regarded as a milestone of German cinema. The subject matter, direction, production, cast – the whole package is just right here, and we’re very happy to be involved as the main funder!“

Part of the film was shot in Aachen and nearby Langerwehe, with Bucharest serving as another location. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW was the main funder, additional support came from MBB, FFHSH, FFF, DFFF, FFA, BKM, ÖFI, Filmstandort Austria, Media and Eurimages. Moreover, SWR, WDR and ARTE participated in this project. NFP will release the film theatrically on 14 July, 2016.

For further information: Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Tanja Güß, Tel. until 22.5. only mobile: 0172-9427029,