Tuvalu (1999)

In a desolate and colorless landscape stands a dilapidated bathhouse run by a puffed-up blind man, his long-suffering wife, and their son Anton, who does all the work. He's lonely and ... See full summary »

Director:

Veit Helmer

Writers:

Michaela Beck (screenplay), Veit Helmer (screenplay),

Stars:

Denis Lavant, Chulpan Khamatova, Philippe Clay

24 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denis Lavant	...	Anton
Chulpan Khamatova	...	Eva (as Chulpan Hamatova)
Philippe Clay	...	Karl
Terrence Gillespie	...	Gregor
Catalina Murgea	...	Martha
E.J. Callahan	...	Inspector
Djoko Rosic	...	Gustav (as Djoko Rossich)
Zlatina Todeva	...	Old Woman
Todor Georgiev	...	Policeman
Georgi Kishkilov	...	Homeless
Petar Evangelatov	...	Homeless
Evgeni Jermanov	...	Homeless
Blajo Nikolic	...	Homeless
Krikor Hugasjan	...	Homeless (as Krikor Hugasian)
Alexander Dikov	...	Homeless

Storyline

In a desolate and colorless landscape stands a dilapidated bathhouse run by a puffed-up blind man, his long-suffering wife, and their son Anton, who does all the work. He's lonely and unsophisticated, and he falls in love with the beautiful Eva, who comes to bathe with her father. When Eva and her father lose their home, they come to the bathhouse to stay, but bits of the ceiling fall on the old man and he dies. Eva blames Anton, and she seems to seek the arms of the brute Gregor. Can Anton win back her heart, get the bathhouse through a rigorous government inspection, and help keep his parents employed? Waiting out there somewhere is the paradise isle of Tuvalu.

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Plot Keywords:

bathhouse | blind man | absurd humor | absurd | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Eine Reise in die Welt der Träume

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

Germany

Release Date:

22 June 2000 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Tuvalu, az álomsziget

Filming Locations:

Sofia, Bulgaria

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$3,336 (USA) (15 December 2000)

Gross:

$408,744 (USA) (4 October 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Borough Films, Filmboard Berlin-Brandenburg (FBB), Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Lucy Tsak Tsak (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Mocking Song"
Goran Bregovic (P) and © 1998 Kamarad Productions
Courtesy of Mercury Records, Hamburg (A Universal Music Company)

User Reviews

A Great Film

I enjoyed Tuvalu immensely. I found it to be a very touching and heart-warming look into the life of an ordinary man living in an extraordinary world. The story was great. It had elements of suspense, romance, tragedy and quirky humour. The actors also did an excellent job of bringing to life the odd and endearing characters. I also found that the film really succeeded in bringing across a mood with exquisitely bleak scenery and visuals which I found reminiscent of both "City of Lost Children" and "Brazil". Tuvalu is an incredible surrealistic journey through a world full of fantasy and wonder. I highly recommend it.