Austria has selected Bernhard Wenger‘s social satire “Peacock” as its entry in the Best International Feature Film category of the 98th Academy Awards.
“Peacock” had its world premiere in Venice Critics’ Week last year, and MK2 sold it to more than 40 countries. It will be released in U.S. theaters on Sept. 19 by Oscilloscope.
The film stars Albrecht Schuch, who was BAFTA nominated for “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
“Peacock” centers on the cultured and confident Matthias, who is available – for a reasonable fee – to fill any social role you desire, from “the perfect son” to the “enlightened boyfriend,” or even “pilot dad” to impress your classmates on Bring Your Parent to School Day. But while Matthias is at the top of his game professionally, his personal life begins to crumble as he detaches from his own identity and burrows deeper into his fictitious lives.
In his review for Variety, Guy Lodge called it “an auspiciously polished and snappy debut,” and suggested its multiple sales were closed “on the strength of its sparkling, readily translatable satire and quicksilver leading turn” by Schuch, adding that the actor delivered “a tremendous comic performance of great physical ingenuity and pent-up emotional desperation.”
The cast also includes Julia Franz Richter, Anton Noori, Theresa Frostad Eggesbø, Salka Weber, Maria Hofstätter, Branko Samarovski, Tilo Nest, Christopher Schärf and Marlene Hauser.
The producers are Michael Kitzberger, Wolfgang Widerhofer, Markus Glaser and Nikolaus Geyrhalter. The executive producers are Michael Kitzberger and Bogdan Büchner. The co-producer is Martina Haubrich. The film is produced by NGF Geyrhalterfilm and Cala Filmproduktion.