A E I O U – Das schnelle Alphabet der Liebe

A E I O U – A Quick Alphabet of Love
Anna is 60 and her acting heyday is now behind her. She lives on her own but has a friend and confidant in her downstairs neighbour Michel, who is also single. Reluctantly, Anna accepts a job as a language coach for 17-year-old Adrian who has a speech impediment and is something of a misfit. She recognises him as the boy who recently snatched her handbag in the street ...
“Irresistible” is the term that springs to mind when describing this light-footed and humorous story of an impossible love affair between a thief and a lady. Director Nicolette Krebitz handles the fragile balance between the dictates of society and the heart with great care. The fresh breath of freedom blows through a narrative that makes room for a nod to old West Berlin, some gentle teasing of Germany’s French neighbours, and even a ghost that is chased away to make way for new possibilities. But most of all, A E I O U is a passionate love letter to Sophie Rois and, perhaps through her, all the brilliant actors neglected by an industry all too fond of young blood. Well, it turns out that these young players, embodied here by newcomer Milan Herms, not only look up to their more experienced peers, they truly love them.
by Nicolette Krebitz
with Sophie Rois, Udo Kier, Milan Herms, Nicolas Bridet
Germany / France 2022 German, French 104’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Sophie Rois (Anna)
  • Udo Kier (Michel)
  • Milan Herms (Adrian)
  • Nicolas Bridet (Inspector Gregori)

Crew

Written and Directed by Nicolette Krebitz
Cinematography Reinhold Vorschneider
Editing Bettina Böhler
Sound Design Luise Hofmann
Sound Uve Haußig
Production Design Sylvester Koziolek
Costumes Tabassom Charaf
Make-Up Anne Moralis, Ragna Jornitz
Casting Nina Haun
Assistant Director Claudia Beewen
Production Manager Gabi Lins
Producers Janine Jackowski, Jonas Dornbach, Maren Ade
Executive Producer Ben von Dobeneck
Co-Producers Jean-Christophe Reymond, Peter Hartwig
Co-Production Kazak Productions Paris
kineo Filmproduktion Potsdam
SWR Baden-Baden
Arte Straßburg

Nicolette Krebitz

The director was born in West Berlin, Germany. She studied ballet at the Ballet Centrum in Berlin and then took a degree at the Fritz Kirchhoff School of Acting. Since 1982, she has appeared in various television and feature films. After making her directing debut with Jeans, she has alternated between being in front of and behind the camera. Her third feature film, Wild, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She received the 2019 Art Berlin Prize in the film and media category.

Filmography

1999 Mon cherie; short film 2000 Jeans 2006 Das Herz ist ein dunkler Wald 2009 Die Unvollendete; segment of the episodic film “Germany 09” 2010 Epigenetik; short film, co-director: Jonas Weber-Herrera 2016 Wild 2022 A E I O U – Das schnelle Alphabet der Liebe (A E I O U – A Quick Alphabet of Love)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2022