The Secret of the Grey Cells can undoubtedly be considered an autobiographical film, but also – and above all – a work that offers an ironic and humorous insight into the fascinating world of art during one of its most delicate phases.
In Vivus funeratus, Stefan Stratil has staged the story of a glamorous world where mere beauty is nothing more than poor-quality plastic, where no one is truly accepted for who they are, where what we desire is not necessarily what could make us happy.
In The Man with Modern Nerves Bady Minck and Stefan Stratil had fun playing with shapes and details, in order to realise a true hymn to beauty and art in all its forms. Time and space become essential players. With the passage of time, Adolf Loos’ project finally became reality in a completely innovative form. In space – understood as both physical space and filmic space – his creation finds its highest fulfilment.
Always enthusiastic about experimenting with new film languages through techniques that have already been used over and over again, Stefan Stratil has never been afraid to dare, to try new roads and new paths. And in I’m a Star! the director has been able to fully render the essence of the great Frank Sinatra’s love and existential torments.
If we think of Austrian animation cinema, particularly significant is artist Stefan Stratil’s statement “Austria is a nation of animation films without animation films”. In short: of all possible film genres, animation is the least explored in Austria today. At least apparently.