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Hermes Phettberg Wretch

Original Title: Hermes Phettberg Elender

Synopsis

Several years ago, author and actor Hermes Phettberg, a colour-ful figure on the Vienna scene, saw his star quickly rise from the sub-cultural underground to the spotlight of TV shows. Responsible in part for this sudden fame was filmmaker and writer Kurt Palm. With Hermes Phettberg, Elender («Hermes Phettberg, the Wretched») Palm has once again paid his respects to his old friend. From archival material, photos and Phettberg’s own memories, the filmmaker creates a picture of a highly unusual human being. Hermes Phettberg has not only fallen out of the frame, he doesn’t fit into any. It’s no wonder that the radical lateral thinker, legend-ary talk master and actionist divides the public in a land where the outsider is always viewed with great scepticism. Hermes Phettberg: that is Austria too.

Technical Information

2007; Austria; Documentary; 90 minutes; HDCAM-SR; Original Language: German; Subtitles: English

DIRECTOR

Kurt Palm

WRITER

Kurt Palm

D.O.P.

Roman Plank

EDITOR

Petra Zöpnek

MUSIC

Chrono Popp

PRODUCTION COMPANY

Fischer Film

PRODUCER

Markus Fischer

SOUND

Roland Freinschlag

KURT PALM

In 1981 Palm wrote his dissertation on Brecht and Austira at the University of Salzburg. Since 1982, Kurt Palm works as a director, writer and educational worker. In 1989 he founded the legendary theater group Sparverein “Die Unzertrennlichen” in Vienna. From 1994 to 1996 he directed 24 episodes of the show hosted by Hermes Phettberg. Since November 19th 1998 Palm is a member of the Society of Jem Casey, Dublin. He lives in Vienna and Litzlberg am Attersee.

Selective Filmography

Feature Film

2005 The Measuring of the Calves

2003 The Cut Through the Throat

1997 At Swim-Two-Birds

 

Feature Documentary

2007 Hermes Phettberg, Wretch

coming soon…

Harald Schmidt

For me Phettberg is a Gesamtkunstwerk

After finishing high school (1979) and job training, Markus Fis­cher began working as a cinematographer. In 1988 he passed the state-certified producer exam and founded Fischer Markus Film­produktion, based in Linz, Upper Austria. 

In 1998, Markus Fischer decided to take a further step towards more independence and founded the Vienna-based Fischer Film GmbH. 

With this company, it is Fischer’s goal to develop and produce Aus­trian films by well known filmmakers, as well as by young and tal­ented writers, directors and artists and also European Co-Produc­tions. Markus Fischer is a member of the “aafp – Association of Austrian Film Producers,” the Association of the Music and Film Industry Austria, and an EAVE graduate (Les Entrepre­neurs de l’Audiovisuel Europeen).

Selective Filmography

Feature Film

2014 Kafka, Ganja, Maniacs

2007 Midsummer Madness

2005 Fremde Haut

2004 Fräulein Phyllis

 

Feature Documentary

2012 Slatin Pascha

2011 Gas Monopoly