Initiation

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Austria 2009; Political Drama; original title ´Blutsfreundschaft´; 35mm colour; 92 minutes; aspect ratio 1:1,85; HD; Dolby SRD; original language German; available with English subtitles

CREDITS

WRITER & DIRECTOR	Peter Kern (based on an idea of F. M. Reifenberg)
EDITOR	Petra Zöbnek
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY	Peter Roehsler
MUSIC	Boris Fiala & Andreas Hamza
SOUND DESIGN	Odo Grötschnig & Wolfgang Mohaupt
PRODUCTION COMPANY	Novotny & Novotny Filmproduktion
PRODUCER	Die Katze Farkas in cooperation with Peter Kern

CAST

Gustav Tritzinsky	Helmut Berger
Axel	Harry Lampl
Jacob / Christina Thürmer	Melanie Kretschmann
Lippi	Michael Steinocher
Snoopy	Manuel Rubey
Wolfi	Matthias Franz Stein
Peter	Oliver Rosskopf
Willi	Heribert Sasse
Dr. Kraake	Gregor Seberg

SYNOPSIS

16-year-old Axel falls out with his step-father and becomes involved in a neo-nazi gang. To join the gang he has to prove himself by killing a social worker. He runs away and takes refuge in a dry-cleaning shop run by 80-year-old Gustav Tritzinsky (Helmut Berger). Axel reminds Gustav of the lover he had during the war, his first love whom he betrayed to the Gestapo, so to atone for that betrayal he takes Axel in. Now Axel has to choose between his homophobic street friends and the friendship and obsession of a homosexual old man.