"Halt auf freier Strecke", DQ winner in Tromsø 2012

Orirginal title: HALT AUF FREIER STRECKE.

Director: Andreas Dresen.

Screenplay: Andreas Dresen, Cooky Ziesche.

Photography: Michael Hammon.

Actors: Milan Peschel, Steffi Kühnert, Talisa Lilly Lemke, Mika Nilson Seidel.

Running time: 1h 50m.

Year: 2011.

Country: Germany.

Sales: The Match Factory

After blaffling critics and audiences with his direct and warm study of elderly sexuality in CLOUD 9, with STOPPED ON TRACK Andreas Dresen attempts to transcend cinema's often superficious depiction of death. The film follows 40 year old postman Frank from the point where he is informed that his brain tumor is inoperable, and that he has only months left to live. As he title suggests, he and his wife Simone and their kids have to re-orient their daily lives and confront difficult and conflicting emotions.

STOPPED ON TRACK IS shot in a direct and compelling style. Its use of on-set improvised dialogue and amateur cast acting on the basis of their own life experiences has made several critics draw comparisons to the films of the acknowledged British director Mike Leigh. With warmth and intensity, it asks the simple question of what makes a good life.

The Director: Directing for tv and theater as well as for the screen, Andreas Dresen (b. 1963) is one of Germany's most renowned directors. His latest features have earned awards at the Cannes, Berlin, Karlovy Vary, San Sebastian and Chicago festivals. His TIFF 2009 favourite CLOUD 9 was nominated for the European Film Award and won the German Film Award that year for best actress, director and film (bronze