Lovely Rita

Directed by Jessica Hausner
Film Movement
2001
79 Minutes
Austria, Germany
German, English
Drama
Women Directors, Coming of Age, Sex & Sexuality
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Feeling confined by her well-mannered suburban environment, the pubescent Rita gradually attempts to test and break the expectations made of her. As she skips class to pursue her infatuation for a local bus driver as well as her own desires, her disapproving parents and classmates begin to question the motivation behind her provocations. However, Rita’s adolescent rebellions occlude a more sinister intention.

“A deliciously observed, ironic take on middle-class Austrian life,” (Variety) Jessica Hausner’s debut feature establishes her thematic interest in societal assimilation with a singular portrait of teenage recalcitrance. Newly restored in 4k and available for the first time in North America, LOVELY RITA remains just as shocking as it was during its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001.

Cast

  • Barbara Osika
  • Christoph Bauer
  • Peter Fiala
  • Wolfgang Kostal
  • Karina Brandmlmayer
Blu-ray Features

Audio Commentary by director Jessica Hausner
Short film: Flora

Sound: 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 surround sound

Discs: 1

  • Highest Rating
    "A deliciously observed, ironic take on middle-class Austrian life through an introverted teen’s eyes...."
    Derek Elley, Variety
  • Highest Rating
    "[A] well-judged and sensitive portrayal of a pressured, superficial upbringing. [T]his is a movie that will find much identification with anyone whose teenage years were remotely angst ridden, with Hausner capturing the simmering tensions of suburban life with assured ease."
    Danny Graydon, BBC.com
  • Highest Rating
    "Hausner makes a highly impressive feature debut with this tragi-comic portrait of a withdrawn teenager. [I]t signals Hausner as a director with a very distinctive vision and major-league potential."
    Sheila Johnston, Screen Daily
  • Highest Rating
    "[The film has] a cheerfully subversive sense of humor."
    Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter
  • Highest Rating
    "The feature debut of young Austrian director Jessica Hausner, Lovely Rita is a coolly assured and darkly amusing exploration of adolescent loneliness. Its knack for veering into tragedy without descending into histrionics has even drawn comparisons with the work of Michael Haneke."
    Total Film
  • Highest Rating
    "Osika is perfect as Rita, half-child, half-woman, but then Hausner's cool, compassionate, naturalistic script, reminiscent of early Fassbinder, gives her plenty to play with."
    Brian Montgomery, DVDBeaver.com

Gallery

Awards & Recognition

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