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The River used to be a Man

GER 2011, 83 min

A tour de force through the African Okavango swamp, blurring the boundaries between fiction and documentary.

Synopsis

A young German (Alexander Fehling) travels through a country in Africa. He meets an old fisherman near a river, who takes him deep into the wilderness in his wooden boat. The next morning, he finds himself alone in the middle of an endless delta. Here his intimate battle with death, his fears and perceptions of the outside world begins. After days of drifting through the wilderness, he ends up in a very isolated village, far away from civilization. But his odyssey is not over yet. 
His continuous loss of control leads him further into a world far beyond his own comprehension.


Streaming-Info

Rent or buy the movie on our Vimeo channel. For other providers, see “Watch Movie”.
Language: English, Subtitles: German, English, Spanish

Press reviews

More akin to Gus Van Sant’s “Gerry” or some of Herzog’s fiction odysseys than the aforementioned mainstream features, “The River Used to Be a Man” hardly exploits suspense or supernatural elements in any conventional fashion. Nor does it ask us to identify with the lead as an Everyman; Fehling holds attention throughout with an understated yet charismatic performance. (Variety)

Credits

Director
Jan Zabeil
Screenplay
Jan Zabeil, Alexander Fehling
With
Alexander Fehling, Sariqo Sakega, Obusentswe Dreamar Manyima, Babotsa Sax'twee, Nx'apa Motswai
Director of Photography
Jakub Bejnarowicz
Editor
Florian Miosge
Sound
Anton Feist, Magnus Pflüger
Sound Design
Uwe Bossenz
Sound Mixing
Lars Ginzel
Producers
Benny Drechsel, Karsten Stöter, Jan Zabeil
Produced by
Rohfilm Produktion
In Co-Production with
SWR (Stefanie Groß)
Founded by
Filmförderungsanstalt FFA
German Premiere
26.06.2011, Munich, Filmfest
German Theatrical Release
27.09.2012

DVD-Details

Extras
Impressions from the shooting in Botswana, Interview with director Jan Zabeil and main actor Alexander Fehling, The Story of the Rabbit and the Lion, Africa-premieres, Theatrical Trailer
Language
English
Subtitles
German, English, Spanish
Country Code
Code-free
System
PAL / Color
Length
83 min + 60 min Extras
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Sound Format
DD 5.1 + 2.0
Set Content
Softbox (Set Content: 1)
Release Date
05.04.2013
Rating
From 12 Years

Distribution Details

Screening Format
DCP (2K, 5.1)
Blu-ray Disc
35mm (contact Deutsche Kinemathek)
Aspect Ratio
35mm, 1:1,85
Language
English, BD (engl. OF, opt. with German, English, Spanish subtitles)
Subtitles
English
Promotion Material
A1 Poster, Trailer
License Area
Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Rating
From 12 Years