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English Titles B

Blindflyers

Original title: Blindgänger, Die
German title: Blindgänger, Die
Germany, 2003

Director: Sahling, Bernd
Production company: Kinderfilm GmbH
Co-producers: ZDF
Age recommendation: 8 years and up

Synopsis:
Marie and Inga are both thirteen and have been best friends for absolutely ages. Like all girls of their age they are beset with all the usual problems: boys, teachers, their figure . . . There’s just one thing that makes Marie and Inga different from other girls – they’re blind.

The two girls live at a boarding school where they are able to pursue their one great passion – music.When the girls hear that a school band from the local town are looking for more band members in order to take part in a television talent contest, the two teenagers see it as their big chance. Their hopes are soon dashed, however, when the boys turn them down with the
argument that blind kids just aren’t media cool.

Then, one day,Marie meets Herbert, a young Russian of German extraction who is trying to get back home to Kazakhstan. Herbert’s plan is proving a great deal more difficult to realise than he had envisaged.What he needs first and foremost is the money to fund his big trip. And so he and the two girls form a trio and begin busking in the streets – albeit without much success, for Herbert’s gang of criminal mates simply make off with all their hard-earned money.

Undeterred, the trio are joined by one of the girls’ schoolmates, Daniel, and, before long the newly-formed band, “THE BLINDGÄNGER” decide to make their own music video and submit it to the talent-spotting show. However, this time round it’s Herbert’s past that presents an obstacle to the budding performers. Fortunately, Mr. Karl, one of the tutors at the boarding school, comes to their aid. And what do you know – he’s even something of an expert on how to produce a demo tape.Who knows, perhaps the tape will help “THE BLINDGÄNGER” become a surprise success story?

Comments:
One of the most intensive and impressive German films that was made for children since years.

"Blindflyers never falls into the trap of portraying Marie and Inga as anything less than well rounded, honest characters in this movingé often funny tale that comes highly recommended from film festivals around the world." Justin Johnson, London International Film Festival 2004

Festivals:
Berlin 2004 (Special mention), Kristiansand 2004, Poznan 2004, Zlin 2004 (awarded), Media Salles' Euro Kids Award 2004, German Film Prize for the best film for children and young people, Haugesund 2004, Buster Copenhagen 2004, Emden 2004, Munich 2004, Chemnitz 2004, Kassel 2004, Duesseldorf 2004, Cinekid Amsterdam 2004 (Special Mention), London International Film Festival 2004, Dresden 2004, Vienna 2004 (awarded), Kinofest Luenen 2004, Cinemagic Belfast 2004, Olympia Pyrgos 2004 (awarded), Rimouski/Canada 2004 (awarded), Divercine Montevideo 2004 (awarded), Oulu 2004, Antwerp/Brugge 2005, Hannover 2005, Cairo 2005 (awarded), Golden Sparrow Gera/Erfurt 2005, Vilnius 2005, Münster 2005, Discovery Dundee 2005, San Quentin 2005, Tel Aviv 2005, Sprockets Toronto 2009

Study guide: Flemish

Study guide: German

Study guide: Norwegian

World sales address/es:
Mideu Films (DE)
Sola Media (DE)

Sold to:
MFA+-Filmverleih (D)
ZDF-Redaktion Kinder 1 (D)
Cineworx (CH)
Matthias-Film (D)
Bundesverband Jugend und Film (DE)
Jef (BE)
In The Air (NL)
Kidflix Global