Original Title: Hermes Phettberg Elender
Synopsis
Several years ago, author and actor Hermes Phettberg, a colour-ful figure on the Vienna scene, saw his star quickly rise from the sub-cultural underground to the spotlight of TV shows. Responsible in part for this sudden fame was filmmaker and writer Kurt Palm. With Hermes Phettberg, Elender («Hermes Phettberg, the Wretched») Palm has once again paid his respects to his old friend. From archival material, photos and Phettberg’s own memories, the filmmaker creates a picture of a highly unusual human being. Hermes Phettberg has not only fallen out of the frame, he doesn’t fit into any. It’s no wonder that the radical lateral thinker, legend-ary talk master and actionist divides the public in a land where the outsider is always viewed with great scepticism. Hermes Phettberg: that is Austria too.
Technical Information
2007; Austria; Documentary; 90 minutes; HDCAM-SR; Original Language: German; Subtitles: English
DIRECTOR
Kurt Palm
WRITER
Kurt Palm
D.O.P.
Roman Plank
EDITOR
Petra Zöpnek
MUSIC
Chrono Popp
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Fischer Film
PRODUCER
Markus Fischer
SOUND
Roland Freinschlag
KURT PALM
In 1981 Palm wrote his dissertation on Brecht and Austira at the University of Salzburg. Since 1982, Kurt Palm works as a director, writer and educational worker. In 1989 he founded the legendary theater group Sparverein “Die Unzertrennlichen” in Vienna. From 1994 to 1996 he directed 24 episodes of the show hosted by Hermes Phettberg. Since November 19th 1998 Palm is a member of the Society of Jem Casey, Dublin. He lives in Vienna and Litzlberg am Attersee.
Selective Filmography
Feature Film
2005 The Measuring of the Calves
2003 The Cut Through the Throat
1997 At Swim-Two-Birds
Feature Documentary
2007 Hermes Phettberg, Wretch
coming soon…
Harald Schmidt
For me Phettberg is a Gesamtkunstwerk
After finishing high school (1979) and job training, Markus Fischer began working as a cinematographer. In 1988 he passed the state-certified producer exam and founded Fischer Markus Filmproduktion, based in Linz, Upper Austria.
In 1998, Markus Fischer decided to take a further step towards more independence and founded the Vienna-based Fischer Film GmbH.
With this company, it is Fischer’s goal to develop and produce Austrian films by well known filmmakers, as well as by young and talented writers, directors and artists and also European Co-Productions. Markus Fischer is a member of the “aafp – Association of Austrian Film Producers,” the Association of the Music and Film Industry Austria, and an EAVE graduate (Les Entrepreneurs de l’Audiovisuel Europeen).
Selective Filmography
Feature Film
2014 Kafka, Ganja, Maniacs
2007 Midsummer Madness
2005 Fremde Haut
2004 Fräulein Phyllis
Feature Documentary
2012 Slatin Pascha
2011 Gas Monopoly
