Horst in Translation ([email protected]) This is a question that people in the 1950s asked themselves just like we are wondering what the second half of the 21st century will look like. "1. April 2000" or "April 1, 2000" is an Austrian German-language film from 1952, so this one is already almost 65 years old. It is among the most known works by director Liebeneiner and the same applies to the writers Brunngraber and Marboe, but also in their case because they were not really that prolific. This is a black-and-white film and runs for 100 minutes approximately. One reason why this film has not totally vanished into oblivion is because the cast includes a whole lot of somewhat famous names such as Krahl, Jürgens, Meinrad, Hörbiger and Moser. But the main reason i think is because of how different it is. Science fiction is even today not very frequent in German(-language) film, but back then it was almost non-existent. And this one here is as sci-fi as it gets. There are sub-genres, such as war, comedy or maybe even romance, but none of these are as present as science fiction. And it is a very Austrian film as it depicts a fictitious version of what 1950s people thought what Austrian in the year 2000 would look like? Well.. I doubt it. This is more of a comedic take and it is a very absurd film from start to finish. The UFOs early on say it all. Unfortunately I must say that I did not enjoy the watch here for the most part. To me, it dragged on several occasions and I also felt there were too many characters in here that lacked elaboration who they were and what they did and, most of all, why they were in this movie, for examples all the statesmen appearing early. Many characters were just there without adding anything to the film and I found it disappointing. I would only recommend this film to Austrians who really love black-and-white films. Everybody else can skip it and they will not be missing much.

Saruman-1 This film is a rarity for many reasons. First of all, it is Austrian Science Fiction (albeit only as a framing story - it's a pure comedy with a few Sci Fi elements). Secondly, it brings together all the great talents in Austrian film at the time. But thirdly and most importantly, it is state - commissioned, and it shows. Badly. Intended as a propaganda piece, this film loses no time in using the kitschiest possible imagery (and music!) to convince the viewer. The framing story is ridiculously badly written and deeply misogynist to boot - the Union's strong - willed President is even asked if she "really is a woman"! The historical reenactments meant to demonstrate to the delegates - and the viewer - how peaceful Austria is, are elaborate and well - made (the costumes are gorgeous), but extremely obvious propaganda. Yet still, this piece has its own quirky, kitschy charm. In a naive way, it is very honest - it makes no effort at all to hide that its first and only intention is to make a point. It is unabashedly political, and it uses all the clichés of early fifties comedy to reach its goal. Recommended to anyone interested in Austria's postwar history, as it shows the atmosphere in occupied Austria very well - how anxious everyone was to gain independence and yet how improbable it seemed that it would be granted anytime soon.

Mort-31 This is a bizarre little movie! It's not of great quality but so sweet in some way and also an important piece of history; a „science-fiction` film as much as a document of a rather short period of Austrian history, namely the ten years from 1945 to 1955 where the four occupying powers were here. The film takes a look into the future year 2000 where some things changed radically but most things are just the same as they were. The Big Four are still in the country and the new president, played by Josef Meinrad, suddenly claims that Austria is independent. The occupying powers immediately call the „World Protection Commission` that should decide whether Austria is endangering the world peace or not. If so, they will destroy the country or at least evacuate (!) the population into sparsely populated regions of the world.To politically interested people this will seem familiar. Funny, how relevant this movie is to the current situation. Only two months before 2000 April 1st, the European Union sanctioned Austria, however for other reasons. And the sanctions were not as drastic as those in the film.I found it very sweet but it could also be seen as an unpleasant element that the film is full of patriotism. Every Austrian loves Austria! Hans Moser, instructed by the president, composes a song and the whole nation (really the WHOLE nation) sings it. Isn't that beautiful? A reason for the film's most exaggerated, even childish ideas and developments is that it was made on behalf of the Austrian government, not as some world-class piece of art, but in order to make publicity for their negotiations according the state treaty they wanted to get. Nothing of the plot is supposed to be taken seriously; but the film as a whole is really amusing and original.

Schurl 1. April 2000 is a political science-fiction comedy, which was made to show the situation of Austria in the early fifties. At that time Austria was occupied by the four powers, USA, Great Britain, France and the Soviet-Union but had an own government. For 7 years this government had tried to become fully independent again. The film shows the situation of Austria and the world nearly 50 years later in a very humorous way. At our time its really funny how they thought at that time the world would be. The four powers were still ruling over Austria and the prime minister proclaimed independence. So the court was siting together over the whole country and the prime minister showed the history of the last thousand years. The actors playing in the film were the who is who of Austrian actors.Austria got a state-contract two years later, so situation changed. Today the film is not only a film over the history of Austria it is a part of this history itself. Maybe something for April, 1st 2000