artfilm.ch
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31.17 EUR 40.73 USD
Available
DVD5
PAL 16:9
Region 2
Languages: Schweizerdeutsch
Subtitles: Deutsch English Français
Utopia Blues
2001 97'
Director: Stefan Haupt
Script: Stefan Haupt
Camera: Stéphane Kuthy
Sound: Patrick Becker
Editing: Stefan Kälin
Music: Tino Ulrich
With: Michael Finger, Babett Arens, Tino Ulrich, Muriel Wenger, Ettore Cella, Bruno Cathomas, Jaap Achterberg, Oscar Bingisser, Lea Schmocker
Utopia Blues
Stefan Haupt
Swiss Film Prize 2002: Best fiction film
The story of Rafael, a fun-loving youth on the verge of manhood who is trying to make his dream of total freedom become reality. Determined to conquer the world with his Utopia Blues Band at any cost, Rafael's philosophy is that “life is a game”. But the game unexpectedly becomes bitter earnest. How much freedom is permitted?
"Switzerland is a really awful place to live, especially if you're a young man with dreams of becoming a rock star. That, in a nutshell, is the theme of Utopia Blues, a smog-filled urban youth drama by Swiss director Stefan Haupt. The main character is Rafael, a rebellious young Zuricher opposed to his city's repressive, provincial nature. As leader of the rock band UTOPIA BLUES, he tries to break every rule both on stage and off. At school he refuses to read assigned texts and delves into his own philosophical studies. On the streets, he lives dangerously and even attempts to takeover the town hall in order to publicize his music. Rafael's stunts eventually land him in an insane asylum where the forces of conservative Swiss society slowly grind him to pulp. All tolled, Utopia Blues is a critique of modern Swiss culture, which, unfortunately, falls short of an engaging cinematic story. Its shortcomings are a lot of undue headiness and a lack of credibility, for the depiction of angst in such a privileged land demands much of the imagination. Lead actor Michael Finger was chosen as a "Shooting Star" at the Berlin Film Festival for his portrayal of Rafael."
Connor McMadden, New York Times
Stefan Haupt
Born in 1961 in Zurich. 1978-79 Exchange student at Jeannette High School, Pennsylvania (USA). 1985-88 Attends the Theatre Academy of Zurich. Since 1989 works as an independent film and theatre director.
2006 EIN LIED FÜR ARGYRIS
2004 DOWNTOWN SWITZERLAND
2003 MORITZ
2002 ELISABETH KÜBLER-ROSS – DEM TOD INS GESICHT SEHEN
2001 UTOPIA BLUES
2000 INCRESCHANTÜM
1998 I AM JUST A SIMPLE PERSON
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