New York University

New York University

The Office of Public Affairs

Friday, Apr 03, 2009

N-392, 2008-09

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Oscar-winning “Toyland” and “True,” featuring Natalie Portman, will be among the films screened at “Short, Excellent & Famous: Nine Outstanding Award-Winning German Short Films” on Sunday, April 26, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at New York University’s Cantor Film Center, 36 E. 8th St. (at University Place). The event is sponsored by NYU’s Deutsches Haus and German Films. The evening will include a question-and-answer session with “Toyland” director Jochen Alexander Freydank.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Deutsches Haus at NYU: 212.998.8663 or nr49@nyu.edu. Subway Lines: A, C, D, E, F (West 4th Street); N, R (8th Street); 6 (Astor Place). All films, which range from six to 30 minutes, are in German with English sub-titles.

“Toyland,” which won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short, is set in Germany in 1942. In order to shield her son from the horrors of the Holocaust, a mother tries to make him believe that the Jewish neighbors are going on a journey to “Toyland”. One morning her son has disappeared-along with the Jewish neighbors. “Toyland” is a film about guilt, responsibility, and lies—both big and small.

“Hit the Floor,” by Kays Khalil, shows the development of home security in the age of Islamist terror. Using a documentary style, changes, influences, and consequences are portrayed that have resulted from events such as September 11th. The second part is a documentary recreation of a true story that resulted from these prejudices and mistrust.

“True,” by Tom Tykwer, is part of a compilation project entitled “Paris, je t’aime,” in which a number of internationally renowned directors each tell a story in one of Paris’ 20 districts.

Other films to be screened are: “Cosmic Station,” by Bettina Timm; “On a Wednesday Night in Tokyo,” by Jan Verbeek; “The Runt,” by Andreas Hykade; “Polar,” by Michael Koch; “Journey to the Forest,” by Jörn Staeger; and, “Mr. Schwartz, Mr. Hazen & Mr. Horlocker,” by Stefan Müller.