Lovely Rita
Feeling confined by her well-mannered suburban environment, the pubescent Rita gradually attempts to test and break the expectations made of her. As she skips class to pursue her infatuation for a local bus driver as well as her own desires, her disapproving parents and classmates begin to question the motivation behind her provocations. However, Rita’s adolescent rebellions occlude a more sinister intention.
“A deliciously observed, ironic take on middle-class Austrian life,” (Variety) Jessica Hausner’s debut feature establishes her thematic interest in societal assimilation with a singular portrait of teenage recalcitrance. Newly restored in 4k and available for the first time in North America, LOVELY RITA remains just as shocking as it was during its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001.
Cast
- Barbara Osika
- Christoph Bauer
- Peter Fiala
- Wolfgang Kostal
- Karina Brandmlmayer
Blu-ray Features
Audio Commentary by director Jessica Hausner
Short film: Flora
Sound: 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 surround sound
Discs: 1
- "A deliciously observed, ironic take on middle-class Austrian life through an introverted teen’s eyes...."
- "[A] well-judged and sensitive portrayal of a pressured, superficial upbringing. [T]his is a movie that will find much identification with anyone whose teenage years were remotely angst ridden, with Hausner capturing the simmering tensions of suburban life with assured ease."
- "Hausner makes a highly impressive feature debut with this tragi-comic portrait of a withdrawn teenager. [I]t signals Hausner as a director with a very distinctive vision and major-league potential."
- "[The film has] a cheerfully subversive sense of humor."
- "The feature debut of young Austrian director Jessica Hausner, Lovely Rita is a coolly assured and darkly amusing exploration of adolescent loneliness. Its knack for veering into tragedy without descending into histrionics has even drawn comparisons with the work of Michael Haneke."
- "Osika is perfect as Rita, half-child, half-woman, but then Hausner's cool, compassionate, naturalistic script, reminiscent of early Fassbinder, gives her plenty to play with."
Awards & Recognition
FIPRESCI Prize
Viennale
Vienna Film Award
Viennale
Un Certain Regard Award
Cannes Film Festival
Gold Hugo
Chicago Int'l. Film Festival
European Discovery
European Film Awards
Karlovy Vary Int'l. Film Festival
Toronto Int'l. Film Festival
Int'l. Film Festival Rotterdam
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