This year the Cambridge Film Festival presents a special Focus on Austrian Cinema featuring UK premieres.

GWENDOLYN directed by Ruth Kaaserer
Arts Picturehouse Cambridge Tues 30 Oct @ 12:45 and Wed 31 Oct @ 21:45

Gwendolyn is in her mid-sixties and is a three-time world champion in weightlifting. Seemingly fragile and lightweight, she is everything but a typical weight lifter. But when she steps towards the dumbbell, there is no doubt she is serious about it. After battling cancer, the retired anthropologist should really take a step back, but this is far from what Gwendolyn has in mind. She decides to fight against her limits and become world champion once again. Gwendolyn Leick will be in Cambridge to answer questions from the audience.

THE WALDHEIM WALTZ directed by Ruth Beckermann
Arts Picturehouse Cambridge Fri 26 Oct @ 16:00
The Light Cinema Cambridge Sat 27 Oct @ 17:15

Kurt Waldheim’s controversial campaign to become President of Austria in 1986 sparked an international scandal. Although he had already served as UN Secretary General, it was now that his wartime activities returned to haunt him: had he in fact been involved in Nazi war crimes? Ruth Beckermann’s shocking and suspenseful account of the affair combines a wealth of archive footage with her own darkly reflective commentary. In our murky age of ‘post-truth’ and ‘alternative facts’ her insights are especially timely.

UK Premiere of L’ANIMALE directed by Katharina Mückstein
Arts Picturehouse Cambridge Thurs 1 Nov @ 17:40

The film is about young Mati running the risk of losing her place with the boys. As she struggles with gender identify and sexuality, life is not made any easier at home with her parents navigating their own emotional problems.

UK Premiere of DEPARTURE directed by Ludwig Wüst
Emmanuel College Cambridge Sat 27 Oct @ 18:15
Arts Picturehouse Cambridge Mon 29 Oct @ 10:00

A man and a woman, neither of them young anymore, both saddled with great disappointments. They understand one another, without the need for many words, each providing the other with support and solace for this brief part of life’s journey. With beautifully judged performances
and alluring imagery, this is a film not to be missed. 

3 days in Quiberon directed by Emily Atef
Arts Picture House Monday 29th @ 12.45
Arts Picture House Wednesday 31st @ 15.00

1981 Quiberon, a small village on the coast if Britanny, France, Rony Schneider, the biggest female star in Europe of her time, has retreated to a spa hotel to escape the pressure of her life. The young journalist Michael Jürgs and Romy’s long-time acquaintance, photographer Robert Lebeck, arrive to conduct an interview for the famous German magazine STERN. Immediately, a cat-and-mouse game ensues between the fragile diva and and the ambitious journalist. Three days, driven by romantic desire, professional ambition and an urge for living. 

The Austrian Focus is curated by Loreta Gandolfi.

To book tickets go to www.camfilmfest.com