The film adaptation of the novel “Sun and Concrete” was awarded the Günter Rohrbach Film Prize, worth 10,000 euros. The film was “above all a character piece about friendship and the longing for a better life, about a lack of prospects and the resulting violence,” said the jury in Neunkirchen at the award ceremony.
The film, which tells the rough and humorous story of everyday teenage life in Berlin-Neukölln, is based on the novel of the same name by Felix Lobrecht. Together with the director David Wnendt, the producers Fabian Gasmia and Christoph Müller were honored. With the film, Wnendt “once again demonstrates his feel for the implementation of socially relevant topics” and paints “an impressive picture of Berlin-Neukölln as a focal point of social injustice,” it said. “The violence that exists around the large housing development is shown mercilessly, but not in a gimmicky manner.” The result is “a gripping social panorama” in which the camera, editing and music are “excellently coordinated”.
Laura Tonke was honored as an actor for her role in the film “When will it finally be the way it never was” and Matthias Brandt for his role in “Red Sky”. They received prize money of 3,000 euros each. The Saarland Radio Prize, endowed with 5,000 euros, went to Levy Rico Arcos for his acting performance in the film “Sun and Concrete”.
The Günter Rohrbach Film Prize Foundation is awarding the prize for the 13th time this year in collaboration with the city of Neunkirchen. With him it commemorates the film producer Günter Rohrbach (“Das Boot”), who was born in Neunkirchen on October 23, 1928. German-language feature films with a length of at least 80 minutes that deal with the topic of “the world of work and society” can take part in the competition. This year 64 films were submitted. The jury president was the actor and director Michael “Bully” Herbig.