# The Ordinaries

The Ordinaries is a 2022 German science fiction tragicomedy film directed by Sophie Linnenbaum (in her directorial debut) who co-wrote with Michael Fetter Nathansky. It stars Fine Sendel. It is about Paula who is a supporting character who wants to be a lead like her dead father did whose inconsistencies surrounding his death will make her question her world.
The Ordinaries had its international premiere at the 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 3, 2022, where it competed for the Crystal Globe.

## Synopsis

In a repressive three class-society, Paula, a simple supporting character, is about to face the most important test of her life: she has to prove she deserves to be a lead. She is at the top of her class at the Main Character School – but so far has failed in generating great emotional music. In search of a solution, she finds herself in the abyss of the cinematic world, on the fringes of the storyline and lost amongst the Outtakes.

## Cast

The actors participating in this film are:
* Fine Sendel as Paula Feinmann
* Jule Böwe as Elisa Feinmann
* Henning Peker as Maid Hilde
* Noah Tinwa as Simon
* as Henry F. Dotter
* Sira-Anna Faal as Hannah Cooper
* Denise M'Baye as Frau Dr. Cooper
* Pasquale Aleardi as Herr Cooper
* Noah Bailey as Elio Cooper
* Benita Sarah Bailey as Police woman
* Paul Michael Stiehler as Leon
* Christian Steyer as Feinmann
* Birgit Berthold as Clara

## Release
### Festivals

The Ordinaries had its world premiere on June 27, 2022, at the Munich International Film Festival, then screened on July 3, 2022, at the 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it competed for the Crystal Globe, on August 25, 2022, at the Fünf Seen Filmfestival, at the end of September 2022 at the 18th Zurich Film Festival, on November 12, 2022, at the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, on January 30, 2023, at the 46th Göteborg Film Festival, on March 10, 2023, at the South by Southwest Film Festival and on March 24, 2023, at the 27th Berlin & Beyond Film Festival.

### Theatrical

It was released commercially on March 30, 2023, in German theaters to later expand to the Australian market on July 6, 2023.

## Reception
### Critical reception

Jonathan Romney from Screen Daily highlights the narrative capacity of the production, calling it twisted and ingenious, although it can become complicated for the viewer due to the complexity of the themes. Also, praises the production design, sound design, and cinematography reminiscent of East Germany. Ricardo Gallegos from La Estatuilla concludes that it is a fascinating and fun film, as well as being creative in building and shaping the foundations of the parallel cinematographic world that the director and her co-writer wrote despite the fact that the basic idea is simple and not very innovative.

### Accolades

| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2022 | Munich International Film Festival | German Cinema New Talent Award - Best Director | Sophie Linnenbaum | Won |
| 2022 | Munich International Film Festival | German Cinema New Talent Award - Best Producer | Britta Strampe & Laura Klippel | Won |
| 2022 | Munich International Film Festival | German Cinema New Talent Award - Best Screenplay | Sophie Linnenbaum & Michael Fetter Nathansky | Nominated |
| 2022 | Karlovy Vary International Film Festival | Crystal Globe | The Ordinaries | Nominated |
| 2022 | New Faces Award | Best Debut Film | Sophie Linnenbaum | Won |
| 2022 | Zurich Film Festival | Focus Competition - Best Film | The Ordinaries | Nominated |
| 2022 | International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience SCHLiNGEL | Children's and Youth Film Award of the Goethe-Institut | The Ordinaries | Won |
| 2022 | Exground Filmfest | Audience Award | The Ordinaries | Won |
| 2022 | Filmkunstfest MV | Förderpreis der DEFA-Stiftung - Jury Prize | The Ordinaries | Won |
| 2023 | Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival | Emerging Filmmaker Award | Sophie Linnenbaum | Nominated |
| 2023 | Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival | Special Jury Prize | Sophie Linnenbaum | Won |
| 2023 | German Film Award | Best Costume Design | Josefine Lindner & Max-Josef Schönborn | Nominated |
| 2023 | German Film Award | Best Visual Effects | Johannes Blech | Nominated |
| 2023 | Glasgow Film Festival | Audience Award | The Ordinaries | Nominated |
| 2023 | Cinedays Festival of European Film | Golden Star | The Ordinaries | Won |
| 2023 | Cinedays Festival of European Film | Best Screenplay | Sophie Linnenbaum & Michael Fetter Nathansky | Won |