Rule of Law

2006, 99’, Buch und Regie: Susanne Brandstätter; Produktion: Aichholzer Filmproduktion und EnVision Film
Film Fund Vienna, Federal Chancellery for the Arts, ZDF/arte
Vienna Film Prize 2007 - Viennale International Film Festival

Critics Award South East European Film Festival, Los Angeles 2008

Festival Cinéma et Justice, The Hague

Perspektive 2007 Nuremberg Film Festival of Human Rights

Festival dei Populi, Florence

Diagonale

Official Selection International Film Festival Locarno

Premiere in Vienna, Austria:
Friday, January 26th, 2007 in the Votivkino

In Rule of Law, Susanne Brandstätter accompanies Claudia Fenz, an international UN judge appointed to Kosovo, into a local courtroom, where she has to get to the bottom of what happened in a brutal case: six Kosovo-Albanian men are accused of stoning a Serbian and his elderly mother to death.

With subtle empathy, Brandstätter’s camera follows the course of the court trial. In realistic, compelling images, she shows a resolute, yet fair judge - a woman, who has to assert herself in a strictly patriarchal society.

The interpreter Osman guides Claudia Fenz into the world of parallel justice in Kosovo: into the world of the Kanun. Respected by all villagers,  village “judges” deliberate over disputes according to the laws of a 600 year old tradition.

An experience, which deeply impresses Judge Claudia Fenz and which will consequently influence her future work as an international judge and legal expert.

Following the premiere on Friday, January 26, 2007, a podium discussion took place. Guests were:

UN Judge Claudia Fenz
UN Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch
Susanne Brandstätter

 

Following institutions use the film "Rule of Law" for training purposes:

Austrian Development Agency
ARGE Bildungsmanagement
Österr. Studienzentrum für Frieden und Konfliktlösung
International Human Rights Network