Director Wenger

A new star in the film firmament

Wenger spent years researching for his new film.(Bild: Hannah Schwaiger)

Salzburg director Bernhard Wenger celebrated an acclaimed German premiere in Berlin with his film "Pfau - Bin ich echt? He will be coming to Das Kino for the Austrian premiere at the end of February.

The film industry is looking to Berlin these days, to the Berlinale film festival. Not directly in the competition, but still the talk of the town on the Spree: Salzburg director Bernhard Wenger. His film "Pfau - Bin ich echt?" (Peacock - Am I real?) makes the audience smile, but also makes them think.

Matthias earns his money with an unusual job: the young man can be booked as a friend. No matter what life situation, Matthias is brilliant at portraying someone else every day. Whether as a model son or dream partner, Matthias wanders between different realities of life. And at the same time loses sight of his own.

Film clip "Peacock - Am I real?"(Bild: NGF_CALA_2024)

"I discovered the phenomenon of so-called 'rent-a-friend' agencies in an article in the New Yorker in 2014. Since then, I've had the idea of making a movie about it in the back of my mind."

Agencies of this kind were founded several years ago in Japan. A country where loneliness was already a major social problem back then. "There are people there who have no one to go for a walk or a coffee with," explains director Wenger.

"Pfau - Bin ich echt?" with Albrecht Schuch in the leading role celebrated its highly acclaimed German premiere in Berlin on Wednesday. It won't be long until the Austrian premiere either: on February 25, the Salzburg director will present his film at Das Kino - including a discussion afterwards.