Otzi the ICEMAN is a Find that Needs to be Seen on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

The story ICEMAN comes from Omnibus Entertainment and director/writer Felix Randau to portray a time in history that is still being discovered and constantly changes today.

The film tells the story of Kaleb (Jurgen Vogel), a man who is part of a small village. Surrounded by his woman and other members, they lived a quiet and productive life. When Kaleb ventures out one day to do some hunting up in the hills, he doesn't know that a band of men is about to destroy everything he knows.

Seeing the smoke from his village, Kaleb returns to discover everyone is dead and those responsible are lingering nearby. After they leave, he goes from house to house looking for survivors. Away from the village next to a young boy, the newest member of their tribe has been protected from the savagery.

Kaleb clearly makes the decision to track down those responsible and holding them accountable. Taking the child with him, their travels are difficult and slow. As he closes in on the men responsible, he makes a decision regarding the child that becomes a necessity.

The weather begins to change but Kaleb pushes on until he finds what he is looking for and makes the second biggest decision of this journey. Sometimes when you are blinded by vengeance, you don't see what's coming.

Vogel as Kaleb plays a man of few words but then again this is a film with few words. He is a strong man among his people and when it is all stripped away, he has nothing to lose regarding his decisions. This actor has the unique ability to let his acting speak volumes and I understood every message he is trying to convey. It takes a lot to impress me and Vogel has done just that with this performance. Inviting me into this journey and then keeping me there through the entire story is what I love about this film.

In playing the role of Kaleb, Vogel says, "The great thing about being an actor is that there are always roles that present a challenge. Roles like this one make you learn a lot. It got me interested in Otzi and the time he lives in and the script is really exciting. I didn't have to think about it for long. I found the idea of playing Otzi fascinating because this role is something completely new for me."

The theme of revenge for the character of Kaleb is front and center after discovering his family and friends are dead. Vogel says, "Ortiz is compelled by revenge to extremes and only then does he sense that he has gone too far. In this early period, the rule of force was applied to exercise justice, but men also have feelings, a conscience, this is not an invention of the modern age. That is what links us today with this Stone Age man. We can identify with his conflicts and challenge just as much today".

Other cast include Andre Hennricke as Krant, Sabin Tambrea as Tasar, Susanne Wuest as Kisis, Martin Schneider as Gosar, Violetta Schurawlow as Mitar, Anna F. as Rulan, Paula Renzler as Rasop and Franco Nero as Ditob.

Where did the idea of this character come from, well I'm about to tell you.

In 1991, two hikers were walking near Tisenjoch/Giogo di Tisa in the Senales Valley when they discovered a human corpse. Believing it was someone who had died due to exposure on the mountain, what they did not realize is exactly what they had found and how it would change what we know about early man.

Unable to bring the body down due to the weather, they did manage to bring an axe that was found and showed it to Reinhold Messner who realized it was very old. Returning to finally retrieve the body, they would also make a discover of personal items and a bow. Taking their find to Otztal Valley in Austria, the forensics could begin.

Testing concluded that the man was over 5,000 years old and when researchers returned to where he was found, they uncovered other possessions. As the study of the mummy continued, they would discover tattoos and what seemed to be his understanding of illness and how to treat what ailed him like the use of birch bracket fungus.

The clothing found with Otzi consisted of leather and grass fibers and a fair amount of braiding. His tools consisted of a copper axe, a dagger and tools to make repairs. He was also found with a woven map and other items.

The question became, how did Otzi die? It quickly became clear that he was shot with an arrow but may have also been attacked days before he died. The question then became was he hunted down and murdered? All of this would come into play in making of the film ICEMAN.

Writer/director Randau says about the story, "When we started getting into the material, I had been searching for a mythical figure from our culture who could provide me with the basis for an archaic story - the drama of man, as it were. Then Otzi simply arrived at my doorstep, a gift that I gladly accepted."

Producer Jan Kruger adds, "I have to frankly admit that Otiz hadn't really been on my radar before Felix game me this script to read. I was reminded of films like DANCES WITH WOLVES and QUEST FOR FIRE which I found brilliant. A native subject from Europe and on top of that, an uncopyrighted protagonist."

In regards to the lack of language in the film (which by the way I felt was in no way needed), Randau said, "I wrote the story in such a way that language does not have any dramaturgic function in the classical sense. The plot is not driven forward by the spoken word". Of course there are moments in the film where there is a language that although no one knows how language was used at that time, Randau called on linguist Chasper Pult to help.

ICEMAN takes us on the journey of a man who feels the need for justice. From the moment the film began I was taken in and never turned away from the screen. Every movement the peoples of this time made was not wasted - from living life, making food, rituals of death, making clothing, hunting and even revenge. This film does exactly the same thing - wastes nothing.

Using the surroundings to bring the story even more believability, I have to give the cast and crew so much credit because it looked rough, cold, wet and uncomfortable. That being said the places chosen to bring the story to film are sheer perfection in keeping me invested in the storyline.

If you given the opportunity see ICEMAN and share in the wonder of someone who once lived in our world and the story that needed to be told. The Bonus Feature of Making of Iceman is amazing.

In the end - they found a man but not his story!

Otzi the ICEMAN is a Find that Comes to Screen

Jeri Jacquin

The story ICEMAN comes from Omnibus Entertainnment and director/writer Felix Randau to portray a time in history that is still being discovered and constantly changes today.

The film tells the story of Kaleb (Jurgen Vogel), a man who is part of a small village. Surrounded by his woman and other members, they lived a quiet and productive life. When Kaleb ventures out one day to do some hunting up in the hills, he doesn't know that a band of men is about to destroy everything he knows.

Seeing the smoke from his village, Kaleb returns to discover everyone is dead and those responsible are lingering nearby. After they leave, he goes from house to house looking for survivors. Away from the village next to a young boy, the newest member of their tribe has been protected from the savagery.

Kaleb clearly makes the decision to track down those responsible and holding them accountable. Taking the child with him, their travels are difficult and slow. As he closes in on the men responsible, he makes a decision regarding the child that becomes a necessity.

The weather begins to change but Kaleb pushes on until he finds what he is looking for and makes the second biggest decision of this journey. Sometimes when you are blinded by vengeance, you don't see what's coming.

Vogel as Kaleb plays a man of few words but then again this is a film with few words. He is a strong man among his people and when it is all stripped away, he has nothing to lose regarding his decisions. This actor has the unique ability to let his acting speak volumes and I understood every message he is trying to convey. It takes a lot to impress me and Vogel has done just that with this performance. Inviting me into this journey and then keeping me there through the entire story is what I love about this film.

In playing the role of Kaleb, Vogel says, "The great thing about being an actor is that there are always roles that present a challenge. Roles like this one make you learn a lot. It got me interested in Otzi and the time he lives in and the script is really exciting. I didn't have to think about it for long. I found the idea of playing Otzi fascinating because this role is something completely new for me."

The theme of revenge for the character of Kaleb is front and center after discovering his family and friends are dead. Vogel says, "Ortiz is compelled by revenge to extremes and only then does he sense that he has gone too far. In this early period, the rule of force was applied to exercise justice, but men also have feelings, a conscience, this is not an invention of the modern age. That is what links us today with this Stone Age man. We can identify with his conflicts and challenge just as much today".

Other cast include Andre Hennricke as Krant, Sabin Tambrea as Tasar, Susanne Wuest as Kisis, Martin Schneider as Gosar, Violetta Schurawlow as Mitar, Anna F. as Rulan, Paula Renzler as Rasop and Franco Nero as Ditob.

Where did the idea of this character come from, well I'm about to tell you.

In 1991, two hikers were walking near Tisenjoch/Giogo di Tisa in the Senales Valley when they discovered a human corpse. Believing it was someone who had died due to exposure on the mountain, what they did not realize is exactly what they had found and how it would change what we know about early man.

Unable to bring the body down due to the weather, they did manage to bring an axe that was found and showed it to Reinhold Messner who realized it was very old. Returning to finally retrieve the body, they would also make a discover of personal items and a bow. Taking their find to Otztal Valley in Austria, the forensics could begin.

Testing concluded that the man was over 5,000 years old and when researchers returned to where he was found, they uncovered other possessions. As the study of the mummy continued, they would discover tattoos and what seemed to be his understanding of illness and how to treat what ailed him like the use of birch bracket fungus.

The clothing found with Otzi consisted of leather and grass fibers and a fair amount of braiding. His tools consisted of a copper axe, a dagger and tools to make repairs. He was also found with a woven map and other items.

The question became, how did Otzi die? It quickly became clear that he was shot with an arrow but may have also been attacked days before he died. The question then became was he hunted down and murdered? All of this would come into play in making of the film ICEMAN.

Writer/director Randau says about the story, "When we started getting into the material, I had been searching for a mythical figure from our culture who could provide me with the basis for an archaic story - the drama of man, as it were. Then Otzi simply arrived at my doorstep, a gift that I gladly accepted."

Producer Jan Kruger adds, "I have to frankly admit that Otiz hadn't really been on my radar before Felix game me this script to read. I was reminded of films like DANCES WITH WOLVES and QUEST FOR FIRE which I found brilliant. A native subject from Europe and on top of that, an uncopyrighted protagonist."

In regards to the lack of language in the film (which by the way I felt was in no way needed), Randau said, "I wrote the story in such a way that language does not have any dramaturgic function in the classical sense. The plot is not driven forward by the spoken word". Of course there are moments in the film where there is a language that although no one knows how language was used at that time, Randau called on linguist Chasper Pult to help.

ICEMAN takes us on the journey of a man who feels the need for justice. From the moment the film began I was taken in and never turned away from the screen. Every movement the peoples of this time made was not wasted - from living life, making food, rituals of death, making clothing, hunting and even revenge. This film does exactly the same thing - wastes nothing.

Using the surroundings to bring the story even more believability, I have to give the cast and crew so much credit because it looked rough, cold, wet and uncomfortable. That being said the places chosen to bring the story to film are sheer perfection in keeping me invested in the storyline.

If you given the opportunity see ICEMAN and share in the wonder of someone who once lived in our world and the story that needed to be told.

In the end - they found a man but not his story!

ODDSOCKEATERS Explains it all on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Galina Miklinova and Omnibus Entertainment comes the answer to the question we’ve been asking for centuries with ODDSOCKEATERS.

Hugo is an Oddsockeater who is very close to his grandfather. He has learned to only take the odd sock when it is needed and no more. One day his grandfather tells him that he must go find his uncle because his time in the sock world is coming to and end. With a heavy heart Hugo leaves him home in search of his uncle.

Along the way he meets the Professor who totally believes in the existence of the Oddsockeaters and is trying to prove it. He also discovers The Blades who are a shady bunch of sock thieves who would like nothing more than to take over the odd sock world.

Hugo finds his uncle Big Boss also learns he has two cousins that are actually quite a handful. That’s when the adventure begins as the leader of The Blades will do anything to get every sock that the Big Boss has – even kidnapping Hugo!

These socks may be odd but they will stick together! 

The character of Hugo is so striking as is his ultraistic nature and love for his grandfather. Believing in the simplistic life and being a good Oddsockeater, he never takes more than is needed and wants what is best for the small family he lives in.

When his world is expanded and he realizes there are those who don’t share his beliefs, including his own family, he tries to listen to others and learn a little. When it comes to his new family, Hugo believes very much in the same values that he learned from his grandfather – that family is everything and loyalty cost nothing.

Omnibus Entertainment is the genre imprint for Film Movement, founded in 2002 as one of the first-ever subscription film services with its DVD-of-the-Month club. Now, Film Movement is a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City. It has released more than 250 feature films and shorts culled from prestigious film festivals worldwide. 

ODDSOCKEATERS is based on the international best selling books by Pavel Srut and has been given the Dove approval for the best in family entertainment.

The story of the ODDSOCKEATERS is absolutely stunning in its telling with animation that is colorful and memorable. There is so much to learn in the film but it doesn’t get mired down in so much heavy sentimentality that it forgets to be so much fun.

The characters each have such unique looks and, after a time, it is easy to forget that you are watching a story about socks! I would love to actually own stuffed dolls of Hugo and the gang just to keep the fun going.

Srut has taken the question of the ages and given it an absolutely wonderful explanation that people of all ages will not only remember, but share with families looking for a marvelous opportunity to spend time together.

If you have ever wondered where missing socks go then might I suggest you get comfy with the kids and a bowl of popcorn and treat yourself to the ODDSOCKEATERS on DVD. Enjoy it once, enjoy it twice – enjoy it always!

In the end – hold onto your socks!

HEIDI is a Story that Never Ages

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD available exclusively at WalMart from Ominbus Entertainment and director Alain Gsponer comes the tale of a young girl who capitivates everyone with HEIDI.

Heidi (Anuk Steffen) meets her Grandfather Alpohi (Bruno Ganz) when the young girls’ Aunt Dete (Anna Schinz) has no where else to leave her. The Grandfather has a reputation with the locals as an angry man who hasn’t a kind word or deed for anyone. Heidi isn’t scared of her Grandfather, in fact she is delighted to be outside in the fresh air and greenery.

Heidi even makes friends with the young goat herder Peter (Quirin Agrippi) as they spend time taking care of Grandfathers goats. Unexpectedly, Aunt Dete shows up ready to take Heidi back but Grandfather isn’t having it and tells her to leave.

That doesn’t stop Aunt Dete when she finds Heidi on the mountain and scoops her away to Frankfurt to live in the home of a young girl in a wheelchair named Klara Sesemann (Isabelle Ottmann). Grandfather is beside himself but the town’s people jeer at him happy that Heidi is away from him.

Nanny Fraulein Rottenmeier (Katharina Schuttler) keeps an eye on both girls running a strict household and not to happy with Heidi. The two girls become fast friends but that doesn’t stop Heidi from missing her beautiful mountains and Grandfather. When Klara’s father Herr Sesemann (Maxim Mehmet) sees how happy his daughter is, returning Heidi to Grandfather isn’t something he wants to do.

But Klara’s Grandmother (Hannelore Hoger) has come to care for Heidi and sees that the young girl is torn. With the help of the staff Heidi is told she is going home and Klara is inconsolable. Back in the mountains Heidi immediately returns to the life of open skies, green grass and goats.

Grandmother comes for a visit asking Grandfather if Klara can stay for a while visiting with Heidi. Happy to share her life with Klara, Heidi takes her anywhere the wheelchair can go. Peter isn’t happy feeling left out of Heidi’s friendship and one moment of anger changes everything for Klara!

One little girl brings out the best in them all.

Steffen as Heidi is adorable but then again she would have to be. Playing this iconic role, this young actress does an amazing job. Ganz as Grandfather doesn’t want anything to do with Heidi but his heart quickly melts and having her in his life becomes extremely important.

Ganz as Grandfather begins with a wall between he and the young girl. Told that he should take care of his own granddaughter, it is only a matter of time before he experiences something missing in his life – love. Ganz gives the role the right touch of a man wanting to be alone until his own family needs him.

Schinz as Aunt Dete doesn’t have what’s best for Heidi at heart and is, to my way of thinking, worse than Grandfather. Taking her far away is heartbreaking and dropping Heidi off like luggage made me think ‘good riddance’. That makes for a good performance!

Ottoman as Klara is just as afraid as Heidi even if for different reasons. Heidi gives this confined young girl a reason to want something more. Schuttler as Fraulein Rottenmeier doesn’t think much of Heidi and has no problem showing her distain but that doesn’t stop the mountain girl from winning everyone else over.

Hoger as Klara’s Grandmother clearly sees what is happening to both Klara and Heidi and even proves that Heidi can be taught. Son Herr Sesemann played by Mehmet is still refusing to deal with the loss of his wife or that his daughter is in a wheelchair but life has a way of surprising them all.

Ominbus Entertainment is committed to sharing the most acclaimed independent films. With Omnibus Entertainment, they can bring even more of the most interesting and watchable films which is what fans have come to expect. To discover more about Omnibus Entertainment please visit www.filmmovement.com.

Johanna Spyri wrote the novel Heidi in 1880 which has become an all-time children’s classic. Actually written as a two-volume novel of Heidi: Her Years of Wandering and Learning and Heidi: How She Used What She Learned has been translated into over 50 languages from the original German. It has brought plays, films and television shows and I don’t see that stopping any time soon.

This story brings family together with this Dove Foundation Family Approved film. That is important to those wanting to extend their home entertainment library to include films the whole family can enjoy together.

HEIDI is about love, loyalty, friendship, learning who you are and what you can accomplish and, most importantly, being true to yourself and your dreams. I can’t imagine HEIDI doing anything less.

In the end – she continues to be a timeless classic little girl!