Editor

In memory of her lifework and to commemorate Luise Ullrich’s 100th birthday, which she would have celebrated on October 31, 2010, her most important films will be screened once in movie theaters in Vienna, Munich, and Berlin. Among them is also RWFs “family series” EIGHT HOURS DON’T MAKE A DAY.

Beginning in the 1930s, the Vienna-born actress appeared in more than fifty movies. Successful on theater stages throughout Germany, she even managed to get a Hollywood contract. After engagements at Berlin’s Volksbühne and the Staatstheater, in 1932, she shot THE REBEL, her first film. The director was Kurt Bernhardt, who became Curtis Bernhard in Hollywood. During the course of her career, she evolved into the ideal actress for mature, quick-witted women. Proof of this is her outstanding portrayal of Grandma Krüger in RWFs social critical work EIGHT HOURS DON’T MAKE A DAY.

Set in the working class ambience, the five-part WDR-production from 1972 talks about the daily grind and the relationships of the couple Marion (Hanna Schygulla) and Jochen (Gottfried John) with their family, friends and colleagues. Luise Ullrich as Grandma Krüger and Werner Finck as her companion and lover Georg make up the dramatic counterpoint. In spite of all obstacles, they fight for their personal happiness and – naturally – also for the happiness of the others. Fassbinder’s series was intended to be continued, and there were even scripts for three further installments. EIGHT HOURS DON’T MAKE A DAY largely owes its success to the two brilliant stars and their wonderful interplay. According to the views held by young filmmakers at the time, Ullrich and Fink came from “Grandpa’s cinema.” As one of the first of his generation, Fassbinder chose them quite deliberately: For him, they were wonderful actors, and he knew he would be able to learn a lot from them.

More Information:
RWFF filmography about EIGHT HOURS DON'T MAKE A DAY
Filmarchiv Austria November 05 – 09, 2010
Filmmuseum München November 12 – 14, 2010
Zeughaus Kino Berlin November 20 – 22, 2010