Eismayer
| Eismayer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | David Wagner |
| Screenplay by | David Wagner |
| Produced by | Arash T. Riahi Sabine Gruber |
| Starring | Gerhard Liebmann Luka Dimić Julia Koschitz |
| Cinematography | Serafin Spitzer |
| Edited by | Stephan Bechinger |
| Music by | Eva Klampfer |
Release date |
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| Country | Austria |
Eismayer is a 2022 Austrian drama film written and directed by David Wagner, in his feature film debut.
It won the Venice Critics’ Week Grand Prize at the 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival.
Cast
[edit]- Gerhard Liebmann as Charles Eismayer
- Luka Dimić as Mario Falak
- Julia Koschitz as Christina Eismayer
- Anton Noori as Striegl
- Karl Fischer as Hierzberger
- Christopher Schärf as Karnaval
- Lion Tatzber as Dominik Eismayer
- Thomas Momcinovic as Tomić
- Thomas Otrok as Nagl
- Stan Steinbichler as Weber
- Matthias Hack as Gratzl
- Lukas Johne as Jan
- Harry Lampl as Mader
Plot
[edit]The film follows Sergeant Major Charles Eismayer (Gerhard Liebmann), a feared and brutal drill sergeant in the Austrian Army. Eismayer is known for his tough and uncompromising training methods, making him a formidable figure among new recruits[1].
However, Eismayer harbors a secret: he is a closeted gay man. His carefully constructed heteronormative facade begins to crumble when he meets Mario Falak (Luka Dimic), an openly gay recruit. Despite the rigid and macho environment of the military, a passionate and secret romance blossoms between them.
The film delves into the intense personal struggle Eismayer faces as he grapples with his dual identities. On one hand, he is the stern and unyielding drill sergeant, while on the other, he is a man yearning for love and acceptance. The relationship with Falak forces Eismayer to confront his true self and the societal expectations imposed upon him[2].
Gerhard Liebmann delivers a powerful performance, capturing the complexity of Eismayer's character. His portrayal balances the fury and strictness of his military persona with the tenderness and vulnerability of his private moments. Luka Dimic's portrayal of Mario Falak is equally compelling, serving as the catalyst for Eismayer's journey of self-discovery.
"Eismayer" is not just a story about love; it is a poignant exploration of identity, acceptance, and the courage to be true to oneself in the face of adversity. The film's direction, performances, and its raw, emotional narrative have earned it critical acclaim, including the Grand Prize at the Venice Critics' Week
Production
[edit]The film is based on real events.[3][4] It was produced by Golden Girls Film, in co-operation with ORF Film/Fernseh-Abkommen and ZDF, and in association with Arte.[5]
Release
[edit]The film premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, in the International Critics' Week sidebar, where it won the Grand Prize for best film.[6][7]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10.[8] The film won four Austrian Film Awards, for best screenplay, best score, best actor (Gerhard Liebmann) and best supporting actor (Luka Dimic).[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Soffe, Ethan (6 March 2023). "'Eismayer' – A Raw LGBTQ+ Military Drama Based on A True Love Story". The Indiependent. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ IMDb. "Eismayer". IMDb. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ Hunter, Allan (5 September 2022). "'Eismayer': Venice Review". Screen International. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Klashorst, Marc van de (4 September 2022). "Venice 2022 review: Eismayer (David Wagner)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Gottlieb, Susanne (6 September 2022). "Review: Eismayer". Cineuropa. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ De Simone, Alessandro (9 September 2022). "International Critic's Week, the palmares". Ciak (in Italian). Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (9 September 2022). "David Wagner's Eismayer wins the Grand Prize of the International Critics' Week". Cineuropa. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Eismayer". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Gottlieb, Susanne (19 June 2023). "Vera, Eismayer and Corsage sweep the Austrian Film Awards". Cineuropa. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
