ES HERRSCHT RUHE IM LAND (IFFI 14)

1975, Federal Republic of Germany/Austria
ES HERRSCHT RUHE IM LAND

Peter Lilienthal

The townspeople living near a state-run prison in Chile would probably rather forget that it is there, but even from outside the walls they can hear the shrieks of men being tortured, and they cannot pretend not to see the treatment given to men who almost succeed in escaping. Finally, they agree, all of them, that enough is enough. They cannot face themselves in the mirror or hold their heads up if they do not protest this depravity, no matter what the consequences. Soon, every man in town is imprisoned for protesting prison abuses, except one old grandfather who was too old to join in. He cannot bear to be left outside, and calls the guards rude names until he is taken as well.

Es herrscht Ruhe im Land
Section: Feature Film Competition
Country: Federal Republic of Germany/Austria
Director: Peter Lilienthal
Language: OF
Running time: 103min

BRD/Österreich 1975; Regie: Peter Lilienthal; Buch: Peter Lilienthal & Antonio Skármeta; Kamera: João Abel Aboim, Robby Müller; (16mm; Farbe; 103 min; dt. OF).