The Boat is Full, 1981
During the last war a randomly assembled group of refugees succeeded in secretly passing the borders of Switzerland. They all cannot know that this shelter is deceptive, that refugees «just out of racial reasons» don’t have a right for asylum and that for some time now the borders are locked for foreigners. Half-heartedly taken in by Swiss and half betrayed again, the refugees are even ready to abandon themselves to save their lives.
They form a grotesque family in order to fulfill the requirements of the police.
The truth suppressed for decades about the partial responsibility of the Swiss for the death of over 30,000 people.
Press Photos
Actresses & Actors
Tina Engel
Curt Bois
Renate Steiger
Mathias Gnädinger
Michael Gempart
Tina Engel, actress
Born 1950 in Hannover. Trained to be an actress at the University for Music and Theater Hannover. Engagements among others: Zurich Playhouse, Theatre at the Newmarket Zurich, Schaubühne Berlin.
A SELECTION OF FILMS
Hiob, Christian Görlitz, 2001, TV
Tatort – Kindstod (German criminal TV series «Tatort» – Child’s Death), Claudia Garde, 2001, TV
Vaters Tochter (Father’s Daughter), Lutz Konermann, 2000, TV
WerAngstWolf (WhoFearWolf), Clemens Klopfenstein, 2000
Und keiner weint mir nach (And Nobody Cries after Me),
Joseph Vilsmaier, 1996
Mit verbundenen Augen (Blindfolded), Marijan Vajada, 1995
Das Versprechen (The Promise), Margarethe von Trotta, 1994
Der Kinoerzähler (The Cinema Narrator), Bernhard Sinkel, 1993
Das Boot ist voll (The Boat is Full), Markus Imhoof, 1981
Die Blechtrommel (The Brass Drum), Volker Schlöndorff, 1979
Das zweite Erwachen der Christa Klages (The Second Waking of Christa Klages), Margarethe von Trotta, 1978
A SELECTION OF AWARDS
German film award, film band in gold, for «Das zweite Erwachen der Christa Klages» 1978
Curt Bois (1901-1991), actor
Born 1901 in Berlin. Actor since he was seven years old. Darling in films and on stage in Berlin of the twenties and thirties, especially as a comedian (Pieces of work with Erwin Piscator and Max Reinhardt). As an emigrant in Hollywood played smaller parts in many American movies, among others as a pickpocket in «Casablanca». After his return to Berlin important pieces of work with Brecht and Kortner.
A SELECTION OUT OF OVER 300 FILMS:
Der Himmel über Berlin (The Skies Over Berlin),
Wim Wenders, 1987
Gedächtnis (Memory), Bruno Ganz/Otto Sander, 1982
Das Boot ist voll (The Boat is Full), Markus Imhoof, 1981
Der Zauberberg (The Magic Mountain), Ludwig Cremer, 1968
Ganovenehre (A Scoundrel’s Honour) Wolfgang Staudte, 1966
Das Spukschloss im Spessart (The Haunted Castle in The Spessart), Kurt Hoffmann, 1960
Herr Puntila und sein Knecht Matti (Mr. Puntila and His Farm-Labourer Matti), Alberto Cavalcanti, 1956
Caught, Max Ophüls, 1949
The Great Sinner, Robert Siodmak, 1949
A Kiss in the Dark, Delmer Daves, 1949
Arch of Triumph, Lewis Milestone, 1948
Saratoga Trunk, Sam Wood, 1945
Cover Girl, Charles Vidor, 1944
Princess O’Rourke, Norman Krasna, 1943
Casablanca, Michael Curtiz, 1942
Der Ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew), Fritz Hippler, 1940
The Lady in Question, Charles Vidor, 1940
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, William Dieterle, 1939
Hollywood Hotel, Busby Berkeley, 1938
The Great Waltz, Julien Duvivier, 1938
Tovarich, Anatole Litvak, 1937
Der Schlemihl (The Schlemihl), Max Nosseck, 1931
Wehe wenn sie losgelassen (Alas, When They Are Let Loose!), Carl Froehlich, 1926
Die Austernprinzessin (The Oyster Princess),
Ernst Lubitsch, 1919
A SELECTION OF AWARDS
European Film Award, Best Supporting Actor,
for «Der Himmel über Berlin», 1988
German Film Award, Award of Honour, 1971
Renate Steiger, actress
Born in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. Engagements among others: Kammerspiele Munich, Free Stage of the People (Volksbühne) Berlin, National Theatre Stuttgart, National Theatre Kassel, Zurich Playhouse.
A SELECTION OF FILMS
Lüthi und Blanc (Lüthi and Blanc), Ralph Bridle and others, TV-series
Stille Liebe (Quiet Love), Christoph Schaub, 2001
Vollmond (Full Moon), Fredi M. Murer, 1998
Ein klarer Fall (A Clear Case), Rolf Lyssy, 1994
Hammer, Bruno Moll, 1994
Der Schwarze Tanner (The Black Tanner), Xavier Koller, 1985
Lieber Vater (Dear Father), Heinz Bütler, 1984
Das Boot ist voll (The Boat is Full), Markus Imhoof, 1981
Der 10. Mai (The 10th of May), Franz Schnyder, 1960
Hast noch der Söhne ja (You Still Have the Yes of The Sons), Lukas Amman, 1960
Mathias Gnädinger, actor
Born 1941 in Ramsen, Switzerland. After an apprenticeship as a typesetter and two years working as such, trained to become an actor at the «Bühnenstudio» (Stage studio) in Zurich. Engagements among others: Theatre at the Newmarket Zurich, Stages of «The Free Hansestadt» Bremen, National Theatre Stuttgart, Zurich Playhouse, Schaubühne Berlin.
A SELECTION OF FILMS
Spital in Angst (Hospital in Fear), Michael Steiner, 2001, TV
Im Namen der Gerechtigkeit (In the Name of Justice),
Stefan Jäger, 2001, TV
Lieber Brad (Dear Brad), Lutz Konermann, 2000, TV
Komiker (The Comic), Markus Imboden, 1999
WerAngstWolf (WhoFearWolf), Clemens Klopfenstein, 2000
Freischütz (Free Shot), Ildiko Enyedi, 1994
Joe & Marie, Tania Stöcklin, 1994
Tschäss (Jazz), Daniel Helfer, 1994
Der grüne Heinrich (The Green Henry), Thomas Koerfer, 1994
Justiz (Justice), Hans W. Geissendörfer, 1993
Kinder der Landstrasse (Children of the Land Road),
Urs Egger, 1992
Reise der Hoffnung (Journey of Hope), Xavier Koller, 1990
Der Berg (The Mountain), Markus Imhoof, 1990
Bingo, Markus Imboden, 1989
Leo Sonnyboy, Rolf Lyssy, 1988
Gekauftes Glück (Bought Luck), Urs Odermatt, 1988
Du mich auch (You Me Too), Dany Levy, 1985
Der Gemeindepräsident (The Town President),
Bernhard Giger, 1983
Das Boot ist voll (The Boat is Full), Markus Imhoof, 1981
Der Chinese (The Chinese), Kurt Gloor, 1978, TV
Der Galgensteiger (The Climber of the Gallows),
Xavier Koller, 1978
Grauzone (Grey Zone), Fredi M. Murer, 1977
A SELECTION OF AWARDS
Prix Walo for actors, 1996
Hans Reinhart-Ring, 1996
International Comedy Festival, Vevey, Switzerland,
Interpretation Award, 1990
Zurich Film Award, 1985
Michael Gempart, actor
Geboren 1938 in Winterthur. Schauspielausbildung an der Schauspielakademie Zürich. Engagements u. a.: Schauspielhaus Zürich, Salzburger Festspiele, Theater Basel, Kammerspiele München, Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg.
FILMOGRAPHIE (Auswahl)
Studers erster Fall, Sabine Boss, 2000, TV
Himmel auf Erden, Rolf Knie/Max Sieber, 2001, TV
Vienna, Peter Gersina, 2000
Venezianische Scharade - Donna Leon,
Christian von Castelberg, 2000, TV
The Wanderer, Terry Marcel, 1994, TV
Brandnacht, Markus Fischer, 1991
Shining Through, David Seltzer, 1992
Chouans!, Philippe de Broca, 1988
Heimatmuseum, Egon Günther, 1986, TV
Sommernächte, Hans Emmerling, 1985, TV
A Song for Europe, John Goldschmidt, 1985
Der schwarze Tanner, Xavier Koller, 1985
Der Doppelgänger, Reinhard Schwabenitzky, 1984
Der Besuch der alten Dame, Max Peter Amman, 1983, TV
Doktor Faustus, Franz Seitz, 1982
Das Boot ist voll, Markus Imhoof, 1981
Team
George Reinhart, producer
Hans Liechti, director of photography
George Reinhart (1942–1997), producer
Born 1942 in New York City. Highschool in Winterthur, Switzerland; since then a close friend of Markus Imhoof’s. Studied law and economy in Zurich. School of Photography in New York City. On assignment for his family’s business «Gebrüder Volkart» took trips to Mexico and Brazil. In 1976 came back to Switzerland and founded the «Limbo Film AG» together with Markus Imhoof. Later he founded the «Xanadu Film», «Metropolis Film» (production and global distribution), «Pierre Grise Production», Paris and took over Rialto film renter’s society in Zurich. Founder and promoter of the Photo museum in Winterthur. He died 1997 in Zurich.
A SELECTION OF FILMS
Jeanne la Pucelle (Jeanne, The ), Jacques Rivette, 1993
La chasse aux Papillons (The Hunt for Butterflies),
Otar Iosseliani, 1992
La demoiselle sauvage (The Wild Mrs.), Léa Pool, 1991
La Belle Noiseuse (The beautiful ...), Jacques Rivette, 1991
Nuit & Jour (Night and Day), Chantal Akerman, 1991
Toto le héros (Toto The Hero), Jaco van Dormael, 1991
Adolf Dietrich, Friedrich Kappeler, 1990
Busters Bedroom, Rebecca Horn, 1990
Histoires d'Amerique (Stories of The USA),
Chantal Akerman, 1988
A Corps Perdu (With a Lost Body), Lea Pool, 1988
La Bande des Quatre (The Band of The Four),
Jacques Rivette, 1988
Der Passagier (The Passenger) – Welcome to Germany,
Thomas Brasch, 1988
Le Moine et la sorcière (The Monk and The Witch),
Suzanne Schiffman, 1987
Last Song, Dennis Berry, 1987
Soigne ta droite (Watch/Take Care of Your Right),
Jean Luc Godard, 1987
Die Reise (The Journey), Markus Imhoof, 1986
Mauvais Sang (Bad Blood), Leos Carax, 1986
Candy Mountain, Robert Frank, 1986
Golden 80ies, Chantal Akerman, 1985
Transatlantique (Transatlantic), Ulrich Schlumpf, 1982
Das Boot ist voll (The Boat is Full), Markus Imhoof, 1981
Räume sind Hüllen (Rooms are Wrappers), Lukas Strebel, 1981
Hans Liechti, director of photography
Born 1946 in Zurich. Trained to become a Photographer. Trained as a camera man at the Swiss TV «DRS». Since 1970 free-lance movie director. Lives in Munich and Zurich.
A SELECTION OF FILMS AS CAMERA MAN
Ennemis de la mafia (Enemies of The Mafia),
Claude Goretta, 1988
Erdsegen (Blessing of The Earth), Karin Brandauer, 1986 TV
Die Reise (The Journey), Markus Imhoof, 1986
La Mort de Mario Ricci (Mario Ricci’s Death), Claude Goretta, 1983
Passions, Jean-Luc Godard, 1982
Das Boot ist voll (The Boat is Full), Markus Imhoof, 1981
Un homme en fruite (A Man in Fruit), Simone Edelstein, 1980
Das gefrorene Herz (The Frozen Heart), Xavier Koller, 1979
Grauzone (Grey Zone), Fredi M. Murer, 1978
Das Unglück (The Misfortune), George Radanovicz, 1977
Fluchtgefahr (Escape Risk), Markus Imhoof, 1974
A SELECTION OF FILMS AS A DIRECTOR
Eine Liebe auf Mallorca (Love on Mallorca), 2001, TV
Patricias Geheimnis (Patricia’s Secret), 1995, TV
Dünki-Schott (Don Quichote), Kamera und Co-director
with Tobias Wyss, 1988
Akropolis Now, book and director,1985
AWARDS
Film Award of the City of Zurich for camera in «Hannibal»
Two quality awards of the Swiss department for Inner Affairs
Special award for exceptional camera at the «Alpinale»
in Bludenz, for «Dünki-Schott»
Max-Ophüls Festival Saarbrücken, Germany:
Award of the Audience for «Dünki-Schott»
Max-Ophüls Festival Saarbrücken, Uni-Film award
for «Akropolis Now»
International Comedy Festival in Vevey, Switzerland:
Special Award for «Dünki-Schott»
Festivals & Awards
– Film Festival Berlin, Silver Bear
for Best Script and Best Director,1981
– Award of the Federation of The International Cinematographic Press, FIPRESCI, 1981
– Award of the International Committee for The Diffusion of The Arts and of Literature by Means of The Cinema, CIDALC, 1981
– Award of The International Catholic Cinematographic Office, OCIC, 1981
– Otto Dibelus Award: Award of The International Protestant Film Jury, INTERFILM, 1981
– Quality Premium of The Swiss Department of Inner Affairs, 1981
– Film Award of the City of Zurich, 1981
– Award of the foundation ALIZA in remembrance of the victims of the assault of October 3, 1980, Copernic street, Paris, 1981
– Award of The 10th Festival of Human Rights in Strasbourg, 1981
– Festival of Historic Films: Golden Eagle, 1981
– Award of The Evangelical Jury, Berlin, 1981
– National Council of The Cinematographic Critique: David Wark Griffith Award, New York, 1981
– Prix René Clair, David di Donatello, 1982
– Oscar Nomination - Best Foreign Film, 1982
Press
The project lacks the historic distance and appreciation. It seems dramaturgically obsolete and reminds in a negative sense of popular theatre. A contribution is unanimously refused.
– Bundesrat Hans Hürlimann, letter of 9. Januar 1980
Never have fears about the infiltration of foreigners been made the subject of a feature film in such an exciting and differentiated way.
– Weltwoche, 14. Januar 1981
Sensual, touching pictures «going underneath the skin»; figures taken from Swiss every-day life; feelings that are understandable right away; a language sounding familiar. Imhoof succeeds in (creating) atmosphere, credibility, excitment, moments of oppression, pain and sadness.
– NZZ, 16. Januar 1981
«The Boat is Full» surely is one of Markus Imhoof’s weaker films.
– Tages Anzeiger, 19. Januar 1981
«The Boat is full» is something more than a discovery, something in the neighborhood of a revelation.
– Janet Maslin, The New York Times, 25. April 1981
The true winner of the festival was the Swiss Markus Imhoof.
– Morando Morandini, Il Giorno, 25. Februar 1981
«The Boat is Full» is filmed with a freshness of observations about behaviours that reminds of the «Diary» of Anne Frank.
– Tullio Kezich, La Repubblica 24. Februar 1981
«The Boat is Full» is a total success.
– Robert Chazal, France-Soir, 25. Februar 1981
Imhoof has a lot of talent and power to express the intolerable.
– Jacques Siclier, Le monde, 25. Februar 1981
There is a powerful, chilling reality in the screenplay and superlative acting.
– International Herald Tribune, 16. März 1981
«The Boat is Full» has arrived to shock civilzed world into reality.
– Rex Reed, Daily News, 21. Oktober 1981
Imhoof shows indications of a masterful director.
– The Washington Post, 20. November 1981
The film is not of the favorites of the Swiss establishment, of course.
– Variety, 25. Otkober 1981
«The Boat is full» has an impact that makes it a film for all seasons and all countries faced with strangers who desperately need a new home.
– Judy Stone, San Francisco Chronicle, 21. Oktober 1981
There would have been room for the 10,000 who were deported, and even thousands more. I was born in 1941. When the governement said, «There’s no more room», why was there room for me? My birth proves they lied.
– Imhoof in der Sunday New York Times, 18. Oktober 1981
Swiss movie brings hard New Yorkers to tears.
– Blick-headline on 2. November 1981
Imhoof throws an act of accusation against the egoism of the «bourgeois republic» which goes far beyond the historic case and tells us about today’s Switzerland.
– Irene Bignardi, Espresso, 9. Mai 1982
In those terrible years the grade of christianization of Europe was put to the test. In many cases, however, the test failled. «The Boat is Full» tells an episode of this faillure, precisely in a neutral country like Switzerland that has in its history most antique traditions of Christian influences.
– Alberto Moravia, Espresso, 23. Mai 1982
If only Spielberg knew how to tell a sad story with Imhoof’s subtle, perfectly timed sense of irony.
– East Bay Express, 21. Juli 2004
Some films tell history; but there are a select few that actually make history.
– San Francisco Jewish Film Festival über The Boat is Full, 2004