Barnaby Metschurat
- 2006
Director/screenwriter Michael Dreher explores the physical and emotional gaps between Europe and so-called Third World Nations with this fifteen minute short set in the Straits of Gibraltar. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judith Engel, Barnaby Metschurat, (more)
A French writer finds his life is once again being turned sideways by his footloose European friends in this sequel to the international hit L'Auberge Espagnole. Five years after we last saw him, Xavier (Romain Duris) has given up his aspirations of a career in international finance, but his new path as a writer isn't going as well as he hoped; his novel about his experiences in Spain has yet to be published, and lately he's been writing scripts for a French soap opera. When his French producers enter into a co-production agreement with a British network and Xavier lands an assignment ghost-writing a tell-all autobiography for famous fashion model Celia Shelburn (Lucy Gordon), he finds himself spending plenty of time traveling between Paris and London. In London, Xavier becomes reacquainted with Wendy (Kelly Reilly), whom he met during his time in Spain, and he wonders if he should take another stab at a relationship with her; Wendy is currently involved, but is increasingly frustrated with her boyfriend's drug problems and mood swings. Xavier is also infatuated with Celia, and wonders if a dalliance with the glamorous model might be possible. Needing romantic advice, Xavier turns to another old friend, Isabelle (Cécile De France), a lesbian who offers her understanding of women as well as a spare bedroom in her flat. Xavier also gets pointers from his ex-girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tautou), who has a child from a former beau and is trying to sort out her own romantic troubles. Russian Dolls (aka Les Poupées Russes) also features Kevin Bishop, reprising his role as William from the first film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, (more)
An ambitious, working-class medical graduate with dreams of becoming a research physician arrives in Berlin eager to begin his internship at a reputable clinic in director Stefan Ruzowitzky's sequel to his 2000 sleeper Anatomie. Motivated by his desire to provide patients with human warmth often lacking in medical treatment, and driven by his desire to discover a cure for the rare muscle disease that has crippled his brother Willi, Jo (Barnaby Metschurat) eagerly begins his internship as scheduled. When Jo is approached to perform an unauthorized operation on the daughter of a colleague, he initially refuses, only relenting after personally witnessing the graveness of her situation. His successful operation and detailed dissertation drawing the attention of Professor Mueller-LaRousse (Herbert Knaup), the charismatic Mueller-LaRousse subsequently invites Jo to join in weekly gatherings in his "research salon." As Jo becomes a member of Mueller-LaRousse's elite group of talented physicians, the stress of his internship is soon lifted, replaced by a compromising situation that may not only cost Jo his career, but his life as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barnaby Metschurat, Herbert Knaup, (more)
A man eager to learn Spanish gets an education he wasn't expecting in this comedy drama. Xavier (Romain Duris) is a French economics student who is nearing the completion of his degree and is looking for work. Xavier's father arranges for him to meet a ranking member of the Ministry of Finance, who makes him an offer -- he can give him a good job, but only under the condition that he learn to speak Spanish. Determined not to pass up the opportunity, Xavier enrolls in a language program in Barcelona, despite the misgivings of his girlfriend, Martine (Audrey Tautou). Upon his arrival, Xavier moves into a large house shared by a large group of students from all over Europe. Xavier finds that his ideas and attitudes are challenged in a positive way by the diverse personalities of his housemates, and that his loyalty to Martine is tested by his attraction to Anne-Sophie (Judith Godrèche), a sweet but lonesome woman from France who has been away from her husband for too long. After a visit, most of Xavier's roommates decide they don't much care for Martine and Xavier gets advice on seducing Anne-Sophie from an unexpected source -- Isabelle (Cécile de France), a footloose lesbian living in the house. L'Auberge Espagnole received its world premier at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, and went on to earn prizes at the 2002 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the 2003 Lumière Awards, and the 2003 César Awards. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Romain Duris, Cécile De France, (more)
- 2002
Out of work in 1964, Romano Amato (Gigi Savoia) packs up his young family and heads to Duisburg, Germany, in hopes for a better future for them. Shortly after arriving, Romano takes a job mining coal but quickly loses interest in that endeavor. His wife, Rosa, (Antonella Attili) takes matters into her own hands and opens an Italian restaurant, Solino, named after the small town in Italy from which they moved. As Romano and Rosa focus nearly all of their attention on the somewhat successful Solino, their young sons, Gigi and Giancarlo, are forced to fend for themselves as they acclimate to their new country, developing their own interests and hobbies in the meanwhile. Ten years later, with the boys now young men, Romano spells out his intentions of having Gigi and Giancarlo join him in the family business, but neither have much interest in the industry. As the family sorts out its disagreements, each family member tries to come to terms with their Italian heritage, as well as with their roles in German society. Solino was screened in the German Cinema program for the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barnaby Metschurat, Moritz Bleibtreu, (more)
- 1999
A woman must compete with her friend for the love of a man -- it's not an unusual story, but this drama from Germany puts a new spin on the situation. Anna (Tatjana Blacher) is a woman in her early 30s who has a normal appetite for sex, but can't stand the idea of involvement or attachment. Consequently, her love life consists of a long series of one night stands with anonymous pick-ups. Anna becomes friendly with Johann (Sebastian Blomberg), a gay burglar who has had one too many run-ins with the law and wants to get out of the racket. Anna invites Johann to stay at her apartment, and they enjoy a close but platonic relationship. One night, Anna meets Max (Barnaby Metschurat) at a club and is immediately attracted to him. However, unlike the other men she's been with, Anna finds to her surprise that she wants to see Max again. Max moves in with Anna, but she soon finds that she has a rival for Max's affections -- Johann. Chill Out was shown in the "Panorama" series at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
