History has not been kind to women who tried to live outside the norm of their time. Empress Elisabeth of Austria or Sisi (Susanne Wolff) was an island onto herself. Entitled to be sure but also filled with ideas that ran counter to her age. With little need for her husband after the birth of their children, she spent most of her time away from the royal court.
The movie revolves around her relationship with Countess Irma Sztáray (Sandra Hüller) who started as her lady-in-waiting but became much more. The film begins after the period when Sisi gave birth to the royal children and focuses on the time she spent away from her husband on Corfu, an island off the coast of Greece.
During this separation, she was able to indulge her every whim and led a hedonist lifestyle where all those around her had to indulge her outside take on life and its responsibilities. Everyone had to abide by those esoteric wishes or they would soon be replaced. Irma was able to adhere to the dogma better than most.
Covering the last days leading up to the death of Elisabeth of Austria, Sisi & I delivers its own highly stylised version of the truth. It differs substantially from the historical account of those final events. Diversion aside there is sadness at its core as the woman who could seemingly have it all never had what she really wanted.
Rob Hudson
Sisi & I Screenings in Brisbane:
Palace Barracks
Thursday 4 May 3:15 PM
Monday 8 May 5:45 PM
Wednesday 10 May 7:00 PM
Thursday 11 May 5:45 PM
Sunday 14 May 6:40 PM
Saturday 20 May 3:30 PM
Palace James Street
Sunday 7 May 11:00 AM
Tuesday 9 May 3:20 PM
Tuesday 16 May 8:20 PM
Thursday 18 May 2:50 PM
Tuesday 23 May 1:10 PM
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
