Lovely Rita
Jessica Hausner’s first feature was a real shocker.
Rita, a wilful and unruly teenager, is on the verge of womanhood. Her sexual awakening leads her to intimacy with a schoolboy, too young, and a bus driver, too old. Rita’s efforts to break out of her solitude and claustrophobic environment isolate her even more, until one day she crosses the line.
“Highly impressive starting (...). A director with a distinctive vision and major-league potential.” – Sheila Johnston, Screen International.
“Lovely Rita” premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.
Jessica Hausner (1972) studied directing at the Film Academy of Vienna where she made her first short films, “Flora” (1996) and “Inter-View” (1999), both awarded. She then directed two feature films, “Lovely Rita” (2001) and “Hotel” (2004), which premiered at the Festival de Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section. In 2009, “Lourdes” was selected at the Venice Film Festival where it was awarded the FIPRESCI Prize, followed by other prizes, such as the European Film Award for Best Actress for Sylvie Testud. She comes back in Un Certain Regard Competition with “Amour Fou” in 2014. Her fifth feature film and the first in English, “Little Joe”, was selected in Competition at the Festival de Cannes 2019 where Emily Beecham received the Best Actress award. A great festival success, the film sold in more than 20 countries worldwide. Her 2023 film “Club Zero”, starring Mia Wasikowska, was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.
Filmography:
Inter-View (1999), Lovely Rita (Armas Rita, PÖFF 2001), Hotel (2004), Lourdes (PÖFF 2009), Amour fou (2014), Little Joe (Väike Joe, 2019), Club Zero (Nulliklubi, 2023)
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