Maria von Heland

BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY

(GROSSE MÄDCHEN WEINEN NICHT)

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Genre Drama, Coming-of-Age Story
Category Feature
Year of Production 2002
Director Maria von Heland
Screenplay Maria von Heland
Director of Photography Roman Osin
Editor Jessica Congdon
Music by Niclas Frisk, Andreas Mattsson
Production Design Ulrika Andersson (von Vegesack)
Costume Designer Andreas Janczyk
Make-up Artist Heiko Schmidt
Cast David Winter, Tillbert Strahl-Schaefer, Stefan Kurt, Nina Petri, Gabriela Maria Schmeide, Matthias Brandt, Josefine Domes, Karoline Herfurth, Anna Maria Mühe
Producers Andrea Willson, Judy Tossell
Production Company Deutsche Columbia Pictures/Berlin, in co-production with Egoli Tossell Film/Berlin
Length 87 min
Format 35 mm, color
Original Version German
Subtitled Version English
Sound Technology Dolby Digital
Sound Technology Dolby Digital, Dolby
Festivals Gothenburg 2003, San Sebastian 2003
With backing from German Federal Film Board
German Distributor Columbia TriStar Film/Berlin

Maria von Heland makes her feature-length directorial debut with the teen drama Grosse Mädchen Weinen Nicht (Big Girls Don’t Cry). Set in Berlin, where traditional and poor Kati (Anna Maria Muhe) is best friends with liberal and wealthy Steffi (Karoline Herfurth). When they spot Steffi’s father, Hans (Stefan Kurt), kissing another woman (Teresa Harder), the two girls plan a scheme of revenge. They make friends with the other woman’s daughter, Tessa (Josefine Domes), only to set her up in a dangerous situation with a pornographer (Dieter Laser). As Steffi begins to experiment with drugs and sex, her friendship with Kati becomes increasingly strained. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

It starts at the time of teddy-bears and condoms. Kati is 17. Her strongest bond in life is to her best friend Steffi, to whom she swears absolute loyalty. Steffi is 17 as well. They sit next to one another in school and share all secrets. Steffi is the cooler and Kati is more insecure. Kati stumbles and Steffi catches her before she falls.

But one day the tables turn. The girls run into Steffi’s dad passionately kissing a strange woman in a down town bar.. To Kati’s surprise and Steffi’s disgust he is not as happily married to Steffi’s mum as the girls always thought.

Steffi is used to ruling her world. She manages to get Kati with her on a revenge trip, aimed to hurt her father’s lover. The hate then rubs off on the mistress’ daughter Tessa.

Steffi goes further out on the limb than Kati can follow. Breaking with her friend for what she believes in is the first step into Kati’s adulthood, but Steffi is almost sacrificed in the process.

Awards: Goldene Biber, Biberach 2002, Audience Award.

Promotion Site: Grosse Mädchen Weinen Nicht

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The Spanish poster (the title translates: My life begins today)