Summer Storm

Friday, September 16
Tower Theatre - 7 p.m.
$10 - buy tickets
buy festival pass

Scheduled to Appear: Marco Kreuzpaintner

"Beautifully shot, with natural acting and sensitive storytelling that honestly grapples with difficult themes." - Rich Cline, SHADOWS ON THE WALL

Best friends for years, Bavarian high school students Tobi and Achim share a seemingly unbreakable bond. As best friends and members of their school's rowing team, they talk about girls and sports and pledge that someday they'll travel the world together. But Tobi, whose glances at Achim always last a little bit longer than they should, is starting to become painfully aware that he dreams of something more, and wonders if his precious friend is slipping away.

Upon arriving at a rowing competition, Tobi and his teammates are suddenly forced to grapple with their prejudices, their fears, and, perhaps, their hidden longings when they find that the muchanticipated Berlin girls' team has been replaced by a team of randy, athletic, cliché-bursting young gay men,. As the tension grows,Tobi, Achim and the others head toward a confrontation as fierce and liberating as the summer storm that's gathering over the lake, and Tobi realizes he must face some facts about himself he didn't dare to face before.

Director Marco Kreuzpaintner's highly acclaimed Summer Storm is a sexy, evocative coming-of-age story and a crossover box office hit in Germany. The film renders its teenage characters and their "issues" in gorgeous full relief, placing them in context right alongside the turbulent confusion of their straight peers.

Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner
2004, Germany, 35mm, 98 minutes
In German with English Subtitles
Contains sexual situations and brief nudity.

Screening Sponsor: Law Office of Robert W. Yarra and Michael Weil Design
Day Sponsor: Engelmann Cellars