In modern-day Berlin, Eva, a timid foley artist, moves around the world with both curiosity and caution. If quiet enough, she can be invisible to others, allowing her to explore parts of humanity most of us could never imagine. Her latest project, creating sound effects for a medication commercial starring a dark bay horse, releases Eva from her past inhibitions and transforms her physical form beyond the realm of possibility.
Described as an “erotic and sexual neo-Buñuelian pas de deux” (Clarisse Fabre, Le Monde), director Ann Oren fearlessly examines the extremes of the human sexual appetite and self-acceptance in this tale of magical realism. The film is the director’s adaptation of her own short film Passage (starring Colombian-German artist Simon(e) Jaikiriuma Paetau, who appears in this film as Eva’s troubled sibling Zara) which explored similar themes in a condensed format. In Piaffe, actress Simone Bucio offers audiences a daring performance as a woman, who, by exploring her innermost desires, becomes undeniably visible.
Simone Bucio, Sebastian Rudolph, Simon(e) Jaikiriuma Paetau, Bjørn Melhus, Sarah Nevada Grether, Lea Draeger
Germany
2022
In German and English with English subtitles
At International Village
At The Rio
Book Tickets
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
The Secret in Their Eyes
This month's Talking Pictures screening is a multi-layered, poignant thriller interweaving the personal lives of a prosecution investigator (Ricardo Darin) and a judge, with a manhunt spanning twenty-five years. Stay for cookies, coffee and a chat after!
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
Credits
Producer
Kristof Gerega, Sophie Ahrens, Fabian Altenried
Screenwriter
Ann Oren, Thais Guisasola
Cinematography
Carlos Vasquez
Editor
Ann Oren, Haim Tabakman
Original Music
Munsha, äbvsd, VTSS
Director
Ann Oren
Born in Tel Aviv, Ann Oren is a visual artist and filmmaker. She studied film and fine arts at The School of Visual Arts in New York. Her artworks have been presented in institutions including The Moscow International Biennale for Young Art, Hammer Museum, Tel-Aviv Museum, Anthology Film Archives, apexart, and KINDL – Zentrum für zeitgenössische Kunst. After moving to Berlin in 2015, her artistic focus shifted from video art and installations to cinema. She directed Passage in 2020, a 16mm short film that serves as a prequel to Piaffe.