A masterpiece of shifting tonal registers, Matthias Glasner’s provocative, semi-autobiographical film boldly treads the thin line between drama, tragedy and black humour – often within the same scene. Winner of the Berlinale Silver Bear and multiple German Film Awards, this darkly comic epic of family dysfunction is in fact a testament to embracing life.
Tom has a lot depending on him. A successful conductor rehearsing a major new piece, he is also juggling work demands with those of his ex-partner, pregnant with another man's child. His volatile friend, and collaborator, is becoming increasingly unbalanced and his rapidly ailing parents are becoming more estranged from each other as they each become less self-reliant. His sister Ellen, meanwhile, has started an affair with a married colleague and frequently pushes her body to the limits with one wild binge after another.
Amidst all this chaos, confusion and awkward family communication, Dying can be hilarious as well as poignantly moving. The message here is that life – even with all its complexities, challenges, and disappointments – is something worth living.
Mon 10 – Sun 16 Mar
Gates open 6pm | Film starts 8pm
Duration 180mins
2-for-1 Tuesdays Get two tickets for $22
Festival Club membership prices available.