DAVID SCHALKO’S BRAUNSCHLAG
Braunschlag is an 8-episode television series of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation written and directed by David Schalko. The accompanying DVD was released in March 2012.
The ACFNY presents the first two episodes with David Schalko who will also lead a discussion about the series. The scene of the action is the fictional town of Braunschlag, situated in the forest district on the border with the Czech Republic. For Mayor Gerry Tschach it is not easy: after several failed business ideas, his church and town are broke. Only a miracle can save Braunschlag. The Mayor’s marriage is on the rocks, and his daughter Babs in Vienna needs money. That’s why he spends nights at his “infertile friend” and business visionary Richard Pfeisinger’s local disco. Together they hatch the idea of a bogus apparition of the Virgin Mary. Thereafter, tourists flood the insolvent place to bring the much-needed financial recovery. But this soon slips away in a series of problems. The miracle eventually turns into a nightmare unfolding within Schalko’s brilliant dark humor.
Protagonists
- -Robert Palfrader : Gerhard Tschach, Mayor
- -Maria Hofstätter : Herta Tschach
- -Nicholas Ofczarek : Richard Pfeisinger, a nightclub owner
- -Nina Proll : Elfie Pfeisinger
- -Manuel Rubey : Banyardi, Apostolic Visitor
- -Sabrina Reiter : Barbara “Babs” Tschach
- -Christopher Sharpening : Ronnie
- -Simon Black : Katzlbrunner, St. Pölten state politicians
- -Raimund Wallisch : Reinhard Matussek Dorfkauz and Marie seer
- -Branko Samarovski : Dr. Feist sen.
- -Thomas Stipsits : Dr. Feist Jr.
- -Stefanie Reinsperger : policewoman Gerti
- -Erol Nowak : Policeman Hannes salad
David Schalko was born in 1973 in Waidhofen an der Thaya, Lower Austria, Austria. He is a writer and producer, known for Dorfers Donnerstalk (2004), Das Wunder von Wien (2008) and Wie man leben soll (2011).
The Braunschlag episodes will be screened with English subtitles.