Fabian

A film by Dominik Graf

Fabian

A film by Dominik Graf

With

Tom Schilling, Albrecht Schuch, Saskia Rosendahl

Berlinale 2021 French Distribution

Les Films du Losange

International Sales

Les Films du Losange

Synopsis

Berlin, 1931. Jakob Fabian works in the advertising department of a cigarette factory during the day and drifts through bars, brothels and artist studios with his wealthy friend Labude at night. When Fabian gets to know the self-confident Cornelia, he manages to shed his pessimistic attitude for a brief moment. He falls in love. But then he too falls victim to the great wave of layoffs, while Cornelia makes a career as an actress thanks to her boss and admirer. An arrangement that Fabian finds difficult to come to terms with. But it’s not just his world that is falling apart…

Genre

Period Drama

Awards & Festivals

Official Competition, Berlinale, 2021

Press & Media

Fabian could be one of those rare contemporary German films to make a significant mark on a wider stage. — Screen International

Graf’s Weimar Republic drama boldly straddles the realms of costume realism and experiment. — Screen International

The film’s trump card is the heady stylistic verve mustered by Graf, who uses very free visual and narrative flourishes to give this potentially sombre material a propulsive thrust. — Screen International

As the redeemed idealist who retains his integrity as the world falls apart, Schilling combines intensity and a lightness of touch, together with the candour that marked his lead in 2012 comedy-drama hit Oh Boy. And Rosendahl gives Cornelia a mercurial, alert, sometimes perplexing energy that shows her character as, from the start, every bit the actress she aspires to be. — Screen International

This adaptation of Erich Kastner’s now classic 1931 novel marks a stylistically daring attempt to capture the zeitgeist by director Dominik Graf, who returns to Berlin competition. — The Hollywood Reporter

Schilling [plays] an engaging, complex Fabian. — The Hollywood Reporter

Schilling and Rosendahl, anchoring the emotional pull with projections of warmth and sincerity so appealing that Fabian’s initial cynicism is saved from feeling off-putting. — Variety

Fabian” is fascinating aesthetically because it unfolds like avant-garde jazz (…) Graf makes “Going to the Dogs” an unpredictable visual experience. — Indiewire

Photos

Information

Producers

Felix von Boehm – Lupa Film

Nationalities

German

French Distribution

Les Films du Losange

International Sales

Les Films du Losange

Year of production

2021

Screenplay

Constantin Lieb, Dominik Graf

Image

Hanno Lentz

Sound

Martin Witte

Editing

Claudia Wolscht

Sets Design

Claus-Jürgen Pfeiffer

Costumes

Barbara Grupp

Music

Sven Rossenbach, Florian van Volxem, Piano, performed and composed by Richie Beirach

Mixing

Michael Stecher

Duration

2h58