| In Heaven | |
| Director: | Michael Bindlechner |
| Producer: | Michael Bindlechner |
| Starring: | Sylvie Testud Merab Ninidze |
| Cinematography: | Michael Kaufmann |
| Music: | Flora St. Loup |
| Editing: | Eliska Stibrova |
| Studio: | FRAMES filmproduction |
| Distributor: | Bavaria International |
| Runtime: | 102 minutes |
| Language: | German |
| Budget: | € 1,5 million |
In Heaven is a 1998 Austrian drama film directed by Michael Bindlechner. The film was entered into the 1999 International Film Festival Rotterdam.[1]
Csiwi is 14 and "borrows" his brother's car at night, driving around the suburban streets until dawn and looking to find his way in life. He meets Valeska, who seems to know her destination which she has identified on a postcard, and Levi, who is tired of fighting and searching and only wants to arrive. Together they live through a summer of friendship. Eventually Csiw is alone again but finally knows his way.
In Heaven is a coming of age story in which a rebellious young boy from the suburbs, Csiwi, encounters two people - Valeska and Levi - both in their desires and life goals pointing like signposts in a different direction. One summer, they experience the happiness of giving each other support and new hopes. But in the end each of them has to go his own way.Bindlechner: 'What makes it worth while to tell the story of Csiwi, Levi and Valeska is that apparent happiness on the surface can hide the underlying drama right to the end - as so often in real life".[2]
In Heaven received generally positive reviews[3] and was invited to more than twenty film festivals worldwide.
| Year | Festival | Result | Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Max Ophüls Festival | Winner[4] | Best Young Actor | Xaver Hutter | |
| 1999 | Max Ophüls Festival | Nominated[5] | Best Film - Max Ophüls Award | Michael Bindlechner | |
| 1999 | Rotterdam International Film Festival | Nominated | Best Film - Tiger Award | Michael Bindlechner |