Screened as part of NZIFF 2007

Four Minutes 2006

Directed by Chris Kraus

A feisty Prussian spinster who teaches piano to prison inmates is drawn to a convicted murderer who was once a musical prodigy in this surprising, compelling and often electrifying human drama.

Germany In German with English subtitles
112 minutes 35mm

Director, Screenplay

Photography

Judith Kaufmann

Editor

Uta Schmidt

Music

Annette Focks

With

Monica Bleibtreu
,
Hannah Herzsprung
,
Sven Pippig
,
Richy Müller
,
Jasmin Tabatabai

Festivals

Toronto 2006

Elsewhere

Surprise is a constant theme in director Chris Kraus’ feature about a precocious pianist and her elderly tutor. From the deafening opener to an electrifying finale, there are few moments that don’t overwhelm. Anchored by the redoubtable Monica Bleibtreu as a feisty Prussian spinster, Four Minutes is a drama about human relationships that’s explored with such emotional integrity that it will seduce the most cynical hearts. Frau Krüger teaches piano to prison inmates and is drawn to Jenny (Hannah Herzsprung), a convicted murderer who was once a musical prodigy. She could win them both prestige in a national competition, but first they must come together to fight prison authority, a haunted past and instinct that has betrayed them both. Kraus’ finely nuanced characters are all compelling, despite none being especially likeable – the ‘negro-music’-hating Krüger included. This fundamental law of attraction and repulsion serves to keep meter through the film, all the way to Jenny’s hair-raising final performance.