The film "Eismayer" is a gripping and emotional drama that tells the story of Vice Lieutenant Eismayer, a tough military trainer in the Austrian army who is also secretly gay. The film is based on real events and portrays the struggle of a man torn between his tough military persona and his true desires.
Eismayer (2022)
Discover the powerful true story of love and self-acceptance in ‘Eismayer’ – A Film About a Closeted Sergeant-Major in the Austrian Army.
“Eismayer” is a remarkable film that tells the story of Charles Eismayer, a military sergeant-major who is feared by his recruits for his strictness and discipline. He is a walking cliché of the hyper-masculine military man, who barks orders and punishes insubordination. But when he falls in love with Mario Falak, a new recruit who unashamedly embraces his homosexuality, Eismayer’s closeted existence is shaken to the core.
David Wagner’s debut feature film is based on true events and reveals the struggle of a closeted gay man to accept himself in a world that demands hyper-masculinity and conformity. Gerhard Liebmann gives a powerful performance as Eismayer, displaying a strong need for control and certainty in his life. Luka Dimic is equally convincing as Falak, a fearless figure with a brazen belief that boundaries are there to be broken.
Wagner’s storytelling vision is served expertly by cinematographer Serafin Spitzer’s crisp, clear, unshowy imagery, which reflects the bleakness of Eismayer’s world. The film takes a reserved approach to potentially heart-tugging developments, resulting in a quiet, emotional impact that is all the more moving for its lack of melodrama.
The film also touches on the casual homophobia and racism that is prevalent in the army, and the struggles that closeted soldiers face in a world that demands hyper-masculinity and conformity. Falak’s open embrace of his sexuality stands in stark contrast to Eismayer’s struggle to come to terms with his own desires.
While the film could have benefited from more screen time dedicated to certain events and characters, Wagner’s focus on the relationship between Eismayer and Falak is expertly conveyed through small steps, dawning realizations, and quiet breakthroughs. The scenes in which Eismayer confronts his wife and talks with his son are beautifully underplayed, removing the sting of melodrama and adding to the film’s emotional depth.
“Eismayer” is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores the struggle of a closeted gay man in a world that demands hyper-masculinity and conformity. The performances of Liebmann and Dimic are excellent, and Wagner’s direction and Spitzer’s cinematography create a haunting, emotional atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. This is a film that should appeal to LGBTQ+ audiences, festivals, and niche distributors alike, and is highly recommended for anyone interested in thought-provoking cinema.
The new film “Eismayer” by director David Wagner has already started to make waves on the international film festival circuit, garnering a number of nominations and awards. The film tells the story of Charles Eismayer, a tough and uncompromising sergeant-major in the Austrian army who is forced to confront his own sexuality when he falls in love with one of his recruits, Mario Falak.
At the Venice International Film Critics’ Week in 2022, “Eismayer” was awarded the IWOLDERFULL Grand Prize, as well as the Silver Ship for the best One True Pairing, recognizing the chemistry between the two lead characters. The film was also nominated for the Queer Lion, a prestigious award given to the best queer-themed film at the Venice Film Festival.
At the Prague Mezipatra Queer Film Fest in the same year, “Eismayer” won the Audience Award, reflecting the emotional impact the film had on its viewers. The Les Arcs Film Festival in 2022 also gave the film its Audience Award and the Prix des Cinglés du cinéma, highlighting the unique and daring approach to storytelling taken by Wagner and his team.
Most recently, at the Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis in 2023, “Eismayer” received both the Audience Award for Fiction and the Film Critic’s Award for Best Fiction Feature, cementing its status as a critical and popular success.
“Eismayer” has been celebrated for its sensitive and nuanced portrayal of a complex and challenging subject matter, and its ability to resonate with audiences across the globe. With its impressive accolades, the film is sure to attract attention from distributors and audiences alike, and establish itself as one of the standout films of the year.
Eismayer (2022) – Gay film, Drama, History, Romance, 87 min, Austria, directed by David Wagner with Gerhard Liebmann, Luka Dimic, Julia Koschitz, Anton Noori, Karl Fischer, Christopher Schärf, Lion Tatzber, Lukas Johne, Matthias Hack, Harry Lampl, Matthias Böhm, Thomas Momcinovic, Jagersberger Joshua, Paul Winkler, Thomas Otrok, Adriano Bonamore, Alexander Srtschin, Stan Steinbichler, Lloyd Lynch, Norbert Prammer, Rina Juniku, Roswitha Soukup, Johann Bednar
