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World Fantastic Cinema

Seven Days to Live

Sebastian Niemann

Germany2000 93min 35mm color

Synopsis

Immediately after Martin and Ellen move into an old house in the suburbs, their son dies from being stung by a bee in the throat. After that Ellen has recurring fantasies which s to her that she only has few days left to live. Starting with a seven written on the bathroom mirror, she experiences a different illusion or hallucination each day as the number decreases with the count down of days. In this film fear is within a familiar space, familiar objects, and closest relationships. A big house in a plain far away from town transforms into a haunted house, and the objects that obsess the character of death are road signs, weather forecast on the radio, reflection on the mirror, and a gift from a neighbor. The biggest shocker is that the person trying to kill the neurotic wife is her husband. The couple? nightmares that confuses 'that the truth is and what really happened' exactly resembles what had happened there 23 years ago. This is a German film in English, hence the region shown in the film is obscure. Because of the realistic situations and the acting is mixed with the style of British, European, and American orgin, the film is more horrifying. It is a horror film true to Freud's 'uncanny' concept; unfamiliar fear is not different from familiar fear. Those who enjoyed < Shining > (1980, Stanley Kubrick) or < The Housemaid > (1960, KIM Ki-young) will like this as well. (KIM So-hee)

Diretor

Sebastian Niemann

This movie is Sebastian Niemann's first feature film for the big screen. In 1995, his short film < Verfolger > was awarded with the Special Prize in the Jury for Best Direction at our European Short Film Competition. He consequently honed his skills in the world of television, and in 1998 he directed the television movie < Biikenbrenen >. We can meet < Seven Days to Live > at our festival, along with protagonists Amanda Plummer and Sean Pertwee.