Singer’s debut feature Luz screened in the Berlinale in 2018 in the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section. The film was written, produced, directed and edited by the German filmmaker who was born in Leipzig in 1988 and who currently lives and works in Berlin.
The story is about a taxi driver Luz played by Luana Velis, who summons an ancient demon when she is questioned by police following a mysterious accident. The film which pays homage to 1980s European horror films is a romp through the supernatural horror genre and it established Singer’s reputation for weirdness and won him a cult following. Singer studied at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne and the film was his film school thesis project.
For fans expecting more of the same Cuckoo looks like it will not disappoint. Cuckoo birds are brood parasites who drop their eggs into the nests of other birds to let the carry out the hard work of raising their young.
The story of Cuckoo is about 17-year-old Gretchen, an American played by Hunter Schafer who travels to the German Alps to reluctantly live with her father Luis played by Márton Csókás and stepmother, her father’s new wife Beth played by Jessica Henwick, and Beth’s 7-year-old daughter, Alma played by Mimi Lieu.
This is an Alpine resort town and it looks like a tranquil paradise. Luis has got a job working there to expand the guest accommodations. He works for the resort owner Herr König played by Dan Stevens. Gretchen ends up taking a job working at the resort. But the town has dark secrets. Gretchen hears strange noises and sees frightening visions until she begins to uncover the shocking secrets of the paradise. Herr König it seems is involved in bizarre experiments and the supernatural takes over as one weird event follows another. The film turns into a freak-out festival.
Singer has lined up considerable star power for an essentially low budget horror film. Hunter Schafer, came to the attention of audiences playing a leading role in the HBO series Euphoria. The English actor Dan Stevens has international drawing power and a release by Neon is already on the cards so the film looks set to reach a wide audience.
Singer has teamed up again with cinematographer Paul Faltz who has shot Luz with its stylish, hypnotic visuals that defined the film and underpinned its success.
Cuckoo (Germany/USA)
Directed by Tilman Singer
Cast: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica Henwick, Marton Csókás, Jan Bluthardt
