Fabian

Source: Les Films du Losange @Lupa Film, Hanno Lentz

Fabian

Paris-based Les Films du Losange has boarded world sales on German director Dominik Graf’s 1930s Berlin set drama Fabian, which has been selected for competition in the Berlinale’s two-part 2021 edition.  

Graf’s first feature in five years, it is adapted from the 1931 satirical novel by German writer Erich Kästner, best known internationally as the author of the 1929 children’s book Emil And The Detectives.

Set in Berlin during the Weimar Republic, it stars Tom Schilling, whose credits include Never Look Away, as the titular Fabian who works in the advertising department of a cigarette factory by day and drifts through bars, brothels and artist studios with his wealthy friend, played by Albrecht Schuch, at night. He falls in love with a budding actress played by Saskia Rosendahl.

Graf was last in competition at Berlin in 2014 with the Costume drama Beloved Sisters

Fabian is produced by Felix von Boehm at Berlin-based Lupa Films. Paris-based Les Films du Losange previously collaborated with Lupa Films on German actress and director Ina Weisse’s 2019 drama The Audition, selling it into more than 30 territories.

Les Films du Losange has also acquired French theatrical rights while DCM Film Distribution will release the film in Germany.

Titles in this year’s Berlinale selection will be first viewed during an industry-focused, online-only event running March 1-5, followed by physical screenings at a Summer Special event, planned for June 9-20.