Cinema
Episode
Walter Reisch · 1935
Synopsis
Vienna, 1922, in the midst of inflation. Valerie Gärtner, a student at the school of applied arts, has lost her small fortune through the speculations of a banker who took his own life, and tries to make a living by selling ceramics. A wealthy collector, Otto Torresani, offers to help her by buying her works; she first believes he expects something else, then accepts his cheques. This friendship soon makes people suspect her of leading a loose life.
Context
Written, produced and directed by a screenwriter of the Viennese school, the film was presented at the Venice Film Festival on 11 August 1935, then opened in Berlin on 23 August and in Vienna on 13 September. It was, after 1933, the only Austrian film on which Jews had worked to receive authorisation to be shown in Germany; Reisch's name did not appear on the programme, and the German censors cut sixty-one metres from it. In Austria, it was declared artistically remarkable.
Who it is for
A feature film of about an hour and three quarters, in German. It presents itself as a Viennese comedy and yet deals with the poverty of the inflation years.
Prizes and reception
Volpi Cup for Best Actress at Venice in 1935 for Paula Wessely; regarded as one of the most important examples of Viennese film.
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