Viennale 2013: Sovereign Bodies in Cinema

The Viennale (Vienna International Film Festival), taking place from October 24 to November 6, 2013, is a festival that does not feature competition but highlights significant films from international festivals and retrospectives. Among the standout films were Matias Pineiro's 'Viola,' a Buenos Aires-based adaptation of Shakespeare, and Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo's 'Vivir en Sevilla,' marking his first retrospective outside of Spain with a portrayal of post-Franco life. The collective work 'Centro Historico' showcased contributions from Aki Kaurismäki, Pedro Costa, Victor Erice, and Manoel de Oliveira, with Costa's 'Sweet Movie' examining Portugal's 1974 Carnation Revolution. Additionally, 'Mouton' by Gilles Deroo and Marianne Pistone tells the story of a kitchen helper in Dover, while Kelly Reichardt's 'Night Moves' about eco-terrorists received criticism. The festival's theme focused on the interplay between body and space. This article was authored by Félix Rehm.