Turning the story of one of Germany’s most egregious misuses of print media into a comedy is only the start of the charms on display here. A Thousand Lines works on so many levels, not the least of which is the irony of this English-speaking writer having to read all about it via subtitles.
In December 2018 the world added the term Spiegelgate to the international lexicon when German journalist Claas Relotius was outed as a fraud on a grand scale. He falsified facts in at least 14 stories of his in Der Spiegel, a German weekly news magazine with a huge circulation at that time.
Director Michael Herbig deconstructs the actual details of that misuse of position and power and builds in its place a very entertaining romp through spectacular levels of hubris. Along with the humour are razor-sharp comments on the place of mainstream media in a world that sees it becoming more and more marginalized.
The idea that printed news should be seen as entertainment to sustain its relevance in the current internet world also gets lambasted. The quick editing and vibrant portrayals from all the cast members never let the film degrade into mere sloganism. This sidesteps the potential of the film becoming a heavy political piece and keeps things accessible and easy to enjoy.
Rob Hudson
A Thousand Lines Brisbane screening dates
PALACE JAMES ST
Friday 5 May 6:10 PM
Sunday 7 May 4:00 PM
Wednesday 10 May 1:10 PM
Saturday 13 May 4:00 PM
Tuesday 16 May 3:50 PM
Thursday 18 May 12:45 PM
Saturday 20 May 8:00 PM
PALACE BARRACKS
Sunday 7 May 11:40 AM
Friday 12 May 3:30 PM
Saturday 13 May 5:50 PM
Sunday 14 May 1:30 PM
Tuesday 16 May 5:50 PM
Friday 19 May 6:10 PM
Sunday 21 May 11:15 AM
The German Film Festival runs in Brisbane from 3 – 24 May and will take place at the Palace James Street and Palace Barracks cinemas.
Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.germanfilmfestival.com.au
