Andreas Schmied’s new project, Chasing the Line [+leggi anche:
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Real events saw the 22-year-old Klammer entering the Games as the favourite to win the gold medal in the downhill race at Innsbruck, while he was defending his world champion title. Starting in 15^th position, Klammer ended up winning the competition in the nick of time by taking heavy risks on the treacherous track.

The lead role is played by young talent Julian Waldner, whilst Klammer’s girlfriend and, later, wife Eva is portrayed by Valerie Huber (the TV series Nachtschwestern). The script was penned by the director along with Elisabeth Schmied, and the production received advice from Klammer himself.

Picture Tree International has boarded the flick as the international sales agent. Speaking about its latest acquisition, the firm’s Andreas Rothbauer told Cineuropa: “Chasing the Line combines action and romance with a 1970s vintage feel and a very fresh look. Franz Klammer was, and is, the ultimate icon of downhill ski racing from a time when safety regulations and a controlled media image were not really paramount, producing unconventional sporting heroes like him, Niki Lauda, Björn Borg and John McEnroe, among others. We’re very excited to see this character and the vibe of the time revived with modern aesthetics and to present the completed film around the autumn, before its domestic release.” At the upcoming Cannes Marché du Film, the company will present other European titles, such as Santiago López Jover and Marcus H Rosenmüller’s Snotty Boy [+leggi anche:
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Chasing the Line is being produced by Austria’s EPO-Film and Samsara Film, in co-production with Sabotage Films Vienna, and in association with Servus TV. It received backing from the Austrian Film Institute, Austria Film Industry Support (FISA), the Carinthia Marketing Office, ORF, the Vienna Film Fund, Cine Tirol and the Carinthia Film Commission. The Austrian release, handled by Constantin Film Austria, is slated for late autumn 2021.