Director Feo Aladag talks about making "When We Leave" - Hollywood (October 20, 2010)Feo Aladag is an Austrian filmmaker whose previous works include acting in film and stage. "When We Leave" is Feo Aladag's debut as a producer, screenwriter and director. The movie is Germany's Oscar Selection for 2011. The film won the Europa Cinemas Label Award as best European film in the Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) and best International Feature at the Calgary International Film Festival. It also received the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature as well as the award for Best Actress for the performance given by Sibel Kekilli at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The film touches on the controversial topic of "honour killing" which is common in Europe's Muslim immigrant communities. She was inspired to make the movie following a series of honor killings committed in Germany several years ago. She wanted to make the film authentic in every aspect. The cast included unprofessional' first-time actors of Turkish origin which made directing the film a challenge. She stated that "Turkey was the first country to buy the film and it will be shown there." Aladag also raises awareness on the issues of violence against women which is universal. German actor Udo Kier hosted the opening night of the German Currents film festival. The screening was co-presented with the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles. When We Leave (Die Fremde) In German, Turkish with English subtitles 2010 | 119 min | Feature Narrative Directed By: Feo Aladag Producer: Feo Aladag Screenwriter: Feo Aladag Director of Photography: Judith Kaufmann Editor: Andrea Mertens Music: Max Richter & Stephane Moucha Make Up Artist: Monika Munnich Costume Design: Gioia Raspe Production Design: Silke Buhr Cast: Sibel Kekilli, Derya Alabora, Settar Tanriögen, Nizam Schiller, Tamer Yigit, Serhad Can, Almila Bagriacik, Florian Lukas, Nursel Köse Format: 35 mm Watch the Trailer Related Links |