Synopsis
Just when Michael arrives in Berlin to visit his ex-girlfriend Gabi, a terrible virus starts spreading across the city at a rapid pace, turning people into mindless homicidal maniacs. Much to Michael’s concern, Gabi’s not home; instead, he meets Harper, a teenage plumber’s apprentice at work in her apartment block. Together, they manage to barricade themselves when raging hordes of infected people swarm the building. Surrounded by these thirsty zombies, Michael and Harper have their hands full to survive – and it will take all of their ingenuity to make their way out to try and find Gabi.
Technical Information
2010; Germany; Horror, Zombie; 64 minutes; 35mm, HDCAM-SR; 1:1.85; Dolby SRD; Original Language: German; Subtitles: English
DIRECTOR
Marvin Kren
WRITER
Benjamin Hessler
D.O.P.
Moritz Schultheiß
EDITOR
Solke Olthoff
MUSIC
Stefan Will, Marco Dreckkötter
PRODUCTION COMPANY
moneypenny filmproduktion
PRODUCER
Sigrid Hoerner
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Ulrich Frommhold
LINE PRODUCER
Melanie Berke
Michael
Michael Fuith
Harper
Theo Trebs
Gabi
Anka Graczyk
Frau Bramkamp
Brigitte Kren
Young Girl
Emily Cox
MARVIN KREN
Born 1980 in Vienna, Austria. Has worked as assistant director, cinematographer and producer since 2000. Studied European Economy and Business Management at the UAS Vienna until 2005, Diploma thesis about „Financing and Marketing of Austrian Motion Pictures.” Attended postgraduate studies in Directing at the Hamburg Media School from 06 to 08. His graduate thesis film “Schautag” was written by Benjamin Hessler. The ZDF/moneypenny – production „Rammbock“ is Kren’s debut feature film. Marvin Kren is represented by Players (www.players.de).
Selective Filmography
Feature Film
2013 Blutgletscher
2007 Molly & Mops
2005 Spiele Leben
TV Series
2003 Julia – Eine ungewöhnliche Frau
Short
2009 Schautag
2008 Trio
2007 Love is hard as walls
2005 Zum Beispiel Praterstern
FULL MOON HORROR & FANTASY FILM FESTIVAL
Aug 16 – 19
LES ETRANGES NUITS DU CINEMA
Apr 02 – 08
2011
Nov 24 – Dec 01
Nov 04 – 10
LA CABINA – INT. MEDIUM LENGTH FILM FESTIVAL
Nov 04 – 13 (in competition)
Aug 23 – 29
INSKO FILM SUMMER FESTIVAL
Jul 29 – Aug 07 (in competition)
FESTIVAL DES BERLINER FILMS
May 24 – 28
BRIVES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
European Competition
Apr 11
BRUSSELS INT. FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
Apr 07 – 19 (in competition)
2010
INDONESIA INT. FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
Nov 16 – 21 (in competition)
Nov 11 – 14 (in competition)
FESTIVAL DE CINE DE TERROR DE MOLINS DE REI
Nov 06 – 07
MILE HIGH HORROR FILM FESTIVAL
Oct 22 – 23 (in competition)
Oct 21 – 25
Oct 13 – 24 (in competition)
Sep 23 – 30 (in competition)
LUND INT. FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
Sep 23 – Oct 02 (in competition)
STRASBOURG EUROPEAN FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
Best European Fantastic Feature Film
Sep 19
Sep 03 – 12 (in competition)
LOCARNO IFF 2010
Piazza Grande Official selection
Aug 14
Aug 04 – 14 (in competition)
NEW BERLIN FILM AWARD 2010
Best Feature Film
Apr 21
DIAGONALE 2010
Audience Award
Mar 27
MAX OPHÜLS PREIS 2010
Best Middle-Length Film
Jan 24
Variety
An effective slice of genre moviemaking on a budget. Frosh helmer Marvin Kren and scribe Benjamin Hessler have clearly absorbed the conventions of the genre, from George Romero to “28 Weeks Later,” but this compact Teuton take on two innocent strangers facing an undead apocalypse is singular enough to please more than just die-hard zombie fans (…)The influence of Romero’s 1968 classic “Night of the Living Dead” and countless others can be felt, though rather than simply aping rote genre conventions, the filmmakers have enough flair and talent to keep things fresh, even without much subtext. (…) As in “Rear Window,” the setting here is used to generate a sort of paranoid unease and creepy menace that quickly seeps into the pauses between the violent zombie attacks. (…) Kren is a precise director of action and actors, and Hessler not only has a strong ear for dialogue but also likes to toy with viewers’ expectations. Pic inventively moves the characters from one apartment to the other as the protags attempt to stay one step ahead of the monsters
FilmSprung
Marvin Kren and Benjamin Heussler succeed to create a most impressive claustrophobic effect.
Variety
Will please more than just die-hard zombie fans
eatmybrains
Romero would be proud!
Devildread
One of the great qualities of the film remains the true commitment to the characters. From the rejected lover trying to reconnect with his beautiful sidekick to all the inhabitants of the building … no fashion plates, no stereotype staggering. Sensations close to reality, real concerns without yielding to portraits smooth and expected. The movie even pays a surprising visit in the drama genre (the suicide of a survivor who has lost his half). The director has enough tact to avoid the easy pathos: his staging, always simple, speaks only through the image and avoids unnecessary dialogue. A true perspective as a filmmaker. Beautiful. (…) A beautiful humbling film in a genre arch-visited. Marvin Kren has made a film that also has not forgotten to be fun, gory and intelligent. Encore!
À voir à lire
One of the great zombie movies of 2010 is German!
28 Days Later Analysis
One of the five best horror films of 2010
Profil
The young director has adapted the George A. Romero 1968 established genre, obviously studied very closely, to the realistic ambience of a residential complex in Berlin’s to give his own version of “Night of the Living Dead on stage.” With a small budget, stoic drama and astonishing precision he provides both the funniest and smartest film of this year.
FilmSprung
By focusing on two main figures in an apartment building Marvin Kren and Benjamin Heussler succeed to create a most impressive claustrophobic effect. (…) In addition to directing and screenplay, the equipment and the performance of the makeup department are outstanding. (…) The film also has extensive laughter.
Sci-Fi-Universe
Very well designed and interpreted, RAMMBOCK surprises by its humanity and its way of using just a building and its courtyard as a place of action. Not without humor, the film is nevertheless a real human tragedy in which we find love, betrayal and sacrifice. The film brings an emotion that was lacking in many recent zombie movies
