The Survival of Kindess.
Umbrella Entertainment today launched the trailer and festival poster for Rolf de Heer’s The Survival of Kindness, ahead of its February 17 premiere in the Main Competition of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival – Berlinale – where the film is nominated for the prestigious Golden Bear, to be determined by a Jury headed by actor Kristen Stewart.
The Survival of Kindness is a cinematic must-see experience from one of Australia’s most visionary and acclaimed filmmakers, with a career spanning 40 years on screen. It is de Heer’s first feature directorial outing since Charlie’s Country, which saw the late great David Gulpilil win Best Actor, Un Certain Regard at Cannes, an award rarely bestowed in that program stream.
The Survival of Kindness introduces Mwajemi Hussein in the lead role of BlackWoman. Battling privilege and pestilence while not knowing if she’s alive or dead, BlackWoman’s story is an exquisite, thought-provoking and immersive journey of pure cinema.
De Heer’s perspective, both distinctive and unique, has produced a filmography unlike any other. Films by Rolf de Heer have been invited to the world’s top three film festivals – Cannes, Venice, Berlin – a total of eight times.
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His work has been invited twice to Main Competition at the Berlinale (Alexandra’s Project 2003, The Survival of Kindness 2023), twice to Cannes In Competition (The Quiet Room 1996, Dance Me To My Song 1998), won major awards twice in Cannes Un Certain Regard (Prix Un Certain Regard Ten Canoes 2006, Best Actor Un Certain Regard Charlie’s Country 2013 for David Gulpilil), and selected twice In Competition at Venice (Special Jury Prize winner Bad Boy Bubby 1994, The Tracker 2002). Among many personal career highlights, de Heer is the only filmmaker to have directed legendary jazz musician Miles Davis on screen (Dingo 1991). The Survival of Kindness is his 15th work as feature director.
In announcing the film’s selection to Competition, Berlinale Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian praised the performance of Mwajemi Hussein and called the film a moral fable about the value of resilience. “The Survival of Kindness is a very daring project with a unique tone and narrative, matching an extremely precise way of filming, and of lighting real locations,” he said.
Umbrella General Manager, Ari Harrison said “Forever inventive in his filmmaking, Rolf de Heer has discovered another great talent in Mwajemi Hussein who delivers a tour-de-force performance as BlackWoman. The Survival of Kindness is a layered, at times thrilling, at times reflective work, and always compelling. Umbrella is proud to be presenting this latest work from Rolf, perhaps even his best, in a catalogue of stunning cinema.”
The Survival of Kindness will launch in cinemas around Australia later in 2023, and will open the Screenwave International Film Festival on April 20.
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