Five beer spots are competing for the König Ludwig Trophy this year, amongst those Sanne Kurz’ charming fairy tale “1,2,3″ about a prince feeling uncomfortable sleeping on beer bottles, and an inspiring yoga lesson by Collin John d’Cunha.

Here in Bavaria we’ve always known it, and we’re very happy to see that the magic of beer is appreciated in other parts of the world as well. Whether it’s the divine feeling of deep immersion into himself or simply a sip of König Ludwig Bräu that makes that clumsy guy reach such an intense insight that he’s even able to hover above his yoga mattress is up to your opinion. Being Bavarian myself I know the answer.

Nena

Another likable idea brought to the screen is Lluís Segura’s “Nena”, showing two kids on the playground acting as if they were a married couple. Not an original idea? Well, thought that, too, at least in the beginning. But these very stereotypical dialogues, especially from the mouth of  the little actress Georgina Avellaneda combined with her funny facial expressions, make for some hilarious scenes.

Diploma

Some of the greatest movies this year come from Israel, and “Diploma” is not an exception. The setting of Yaelle Kayam’s film is Hebron, where during a curfew a young Palestinian man accompanies his sister to her graduation celebration. As they can’t walk on the street the siblings take their way over rooftops and terraces, until they’re finally stopped by Israelian soldiers. I was really impressed by the portrayal of the relationship between brother and sister, reflecting the role models within a traditional Muslim family and the slight fraction of this concept when, for example, the boy disapprovingly gives his cigarette to his sister. In Hebron, women are supposed not to smoke, the director explains. Osama Arabiaa (Samer in the film) is actually a beduine and indeed refused to hand over the cigarette to actress Youssra Barakat when shooting the movie. And how was “Diploma” perceived in Hebron? “Women really liked it, but some men actually got angry,” Yaelle tells.

Interesting as well: “Rat” by Lau Kek-Huat. A woman, who has taken the very lonely decision to have an abortion, goes through difficult states of mind during the night before. Her scruples are reinforced after killing a rat in her apartment. I was wondering why the male director chose to make a film about an experience that only a woman would go through. “I’ve read a short story by Neil Geiman telling a similar story from the perspective of a man whose girlfriend is going to have an abortion, and that impressed me alot. It inspired me to make a movie on the same topic seen through the eyes of the woman,” Lau says.

Other movies shown in that film block were Miro Remo’s documentary “Arsy – Versy” about his own uncle and grandmother, and Michael Latham’s feature “Boxer”.