DIRECTOR: Bernhard Wenger
STARRING: Albrecht Schuch, Julia Franz Richter, Anton Noori, Theresa Frostad Eggesbo
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 42 minutes
LANGUAGE: German, English
PLOT: Matthias has perfected the art of becoming whoever you need him to be. Want a ‘cultured boyfriend’ to charm your friends, a ‘model son’ to sway your business partners, or even a sparring partner to practice your next argument? Whatever the role, Matthias can play it flawlessly. But while slipping into other identities comes naturally, facing his own true self proves to be the hardest part.
GENRE: Comedy
FILMING LOCATION: Vienna, Austria
To check out all previous submissions for Austria, click HERE.
STARRING: Albrecht Schuch, Julia Franz Richter, Anton Noori, Theresa Frostad Eggesbo
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 42 minutes
LANGUAGE: German, English
PLOT: Matthias has perfected the art of becoming whoever you need him to be. Want a ‘cultured boyfriend’ to charm your friends, a ‘model son’ to sway your business partners, or even a sparring partner to practice your next argument? Whatever the role, Matthias can play it flawlessly. But while slipping into other identities comes naturally, facing his own true self proves to be the hardest part.
GENRE: Comedy
FILMING LOCATION: Vienna, Austria
To check out all previous submissions for Austria, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“You are just not real anymore."
Bernhard Wenger’s Peacock is a captivating and stylish comedy that elegantly explores identity and self-image. Shot against the grandeur of Vienna and Lower Austria, the film’s visual sophistication mirrors the polished surfaces of its characters’ lives. Wenger’s direction ensures that every frame feels intentional, drawing the viewer into a world where glamour and unease coexist seamlessly. The result is a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
The performances are central to the film’s impact, and none shine brighter than Albrecht Schuch. His portrayal is layered, magnetic, and utterly compelling, grounding the story with a sense of raw humanity beneath the polished veneer. Schuch manages to balance charm with vulnerability, embodying a character who feels authentic even in the midst of artifice. His performance alone makes Peacock unforgettable, but when paired with Wenger’s direction, it elevates the film into something truly remarkable.
The film unfolds with an elegance that is matched by its emotional precision. Every pause, every silence, every subtle gesture carries meaning, keeping the audience fully engaged. Rather than rushing toward revelations, Peacock invites us to linger in its carefully constructed atmosphere, where the smallest details speak volumes. This attention to nuance transforms what could have been a familiar story into an experience that feels fresh, intimate, and deeply affecting.
At its heart, Peacock is a meditation on authenticity in a world dominated by appearances. It asks whether the faces we show to society are any less real than the ones we hide, and whether self-image can ever be untangled from performance. Wenger and Schuch together remind us that identity is both a shield and a burden, and that behind every façade lies the universal desire to be seen as we truly are.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“You are just not real anymore."
Bernhard Wenger’s Peacock is a captivating and stylish comedy that elegantly explores identity and self-image. Shot against the grandeur of Vienna and Lower Austria, the film’s visual sophistication mirrors the polished surfaces of its characters’ lives. Wenger’s direction ensures that every frame feels intentional, drawing the viewer into a world where glamour and unease coexist seamlessly. The result is a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
The performances are central to the film’s impact, and none shine brighter than Albrecht Schuch. His portrayal is layered, magnetic, and utterly compelling, grounding the story with a sense of raw humanity beneath the polished veneer. Schuch manages to balance charm with vulnerability, embodying a character who feels authentic even in the midst of artifice. His performance alone makes Peacock unforgettable, but when paired with Wenger’s direction, it elevates the film into something truly remarkable.
The film unfolds with an elegance that is matched by its emotional precision. Every pause, every silence, every subtle gesture carries meaning, keeping the audience fully engaged. Rather than rushing toward revelations, Peacock invites us to linger in its carefully constructed atmosphere, where the smallest details speak volumes. This attention to nuance transforms what could have been a familiar story into an experience that feels fresh, intimate, and deeply affecting.
At its heart, Peacock is a meditation on authenticity in a world dominated by appearances. It asks whether the faces we show to society are any less real than the ones we hide, and whether self-image can ever be untangled from performance. Wenger and Schuch together remind us that identity is both a shield and a burden, and that behind every façade lies the universal desire to be seen as we truly are.
