MOVIE‘I’ll Be Gone in June’: The Story of a German Student in 2001
German teenager Franny (new face Naomi Cosma) arrives in New Mexico to attend a high school in Las Cruces for the 2001-02 academic year. This journey takes place just before the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the film stands out as the impressive debut feature by writer-director Katharina Rivilis. While living with a local family, Franny faces the challenges of stepping into a new culture.
Inspired by Rivilis's own youth experiences, this story presents viewers with small yet meaningful moments within an ordinary life. Although events like forming friendships, exploring new places, and heartbreaks take center stage, they provide the audience with a chance to establish a deep emotional connection. Supported by Wim Wenders, the film successfully reflects the strange feelings of a young person from Europe in a foreign land, accompanied by an eclectic music selection and captivating cinematography.
Franny's observant nature is evident from the moment she sets foot in Albuquerque, as she carefully examines everything around her. Growing up in East Germany, Franny emerges as a character equipped with emotional intelligence and street smarts. Rivilis manages to elicit natural and confident performances from her cast of non-professional actors, making the film a suitable choice for festivals aimed at young audiences.
Inspired by Rivilis's own youth experiences, this story presents viewers with small yet meaningful moments within an ordinary life. Although events like forming friendships, exploring new places, and heartbreaks take center stage, they provide the audience with a chance to establish a deep emotional connection. Supported by Wim Wenders, the film successfully reflects the strange feelings of a young person from Europe in a foreign land, accompanied by an eclectic music selection and captivating cinematography.
Franny's observant nature is evident from the moment she sets foot in Albuquerque, as she carefully examines everything around her. Growing up in East Germany, Franny emerges as a character equipped with emotional intelligence and street smarts. Rivilis manages to elicit natural and confident performances from her cast of non-professional actors, making the film a suitable choice for festivals aimed at young audiences.
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