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Brothers of the Wind
Wie Brüder im Wind
Austria 2015
produced by
Walter Köhler, Philip-Jaime Alcazar, Gerald Salmina (wildlife producer), Dinah Czezik-Müller (executive), Michael Frenschkowski (executive), Joanne Reay (executive) for Terra Mater Film Studios
directed by Gerardo Olivares, Otmar Penker
starring Jean Reno, Tobias Moretti, Manuel Camacho, Eva Kuen
idea by Otmar Penker, Gerald Salmina, screenplay by Joanne Reay, music by Sarah Class
review by
Mike Haberfelner
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Somewhere in the Austrian mountains: Since young Lukas' (Manuel
Camacho) mother has died, he has seized to talk - to other people at
least, but he has formed a strong bond with nature - much to the dismay of
his father, stoic hunter Keller (Tobias Moretti), who's basically trying
to suppress the death of his wife and force life to go the way it always
has. One day, Lukas finds a young abandoned eagle whom he christens Abel,
after the story of Cain and Abel, and whom he takes care of and brings up
as he thinks an eagle's supposed to be brought up. However, he hides this
from his dad, who does also shoot eagles should the situation demand it. One
day, Lukas is found out by Danzer (Jean Reno), also a hunter but much more
in tune with nature than Keller, and he helps Lukas bring up Abel, even
persuades Keller to let his son stay with him for the summer under some
pretense. But eventually the eagle is fully grown and leaves the nest, so
to speak - but Lukas' journey is not yet at its end ... One
thing one can't deny regarding this movie: The visuals of wildlife and
nature as such are nothing short of breathtaking - which is in part due to
the film being mostly shot in the natural preserve Hohe Tauern, one of the
most beautiful spots in the Austrian Alps, but it also has to do with
first rate camerawork, and the fact that the direction doesn't sugarcoat
things: It shows nature in all its beauty but also cruelty, thus shows the
eagles not only as beautiful creatures but also birds of prey - who are
not always winning their fights, and contrapoints the majestic mountains
with landslides in their wake. So for this being what one might want to
call a "Heimatfilm", this isn't cheesy in the least. And as for
the story, it might essentially be a fairy tale, but it's compelling for
its starkness and honesty. And very strong performances by all of the
involved of course only helps the film reach its full potential. Totally
recommended! If this has gotten you at all interested, this
movie will make its US debut in theatres and on VOD on June 19th 2018.
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find Brothers of the Wind at adultvideouniverse.com
