“Political systems devour people. Individual struggle is all that's left.”

In a Ukraine torn between Hitler and Stalin, three children united by their love of music must protect each other in order to survive.

It is 1941, and there is peace between Germany and Russia. In Ukraine, Jewish musical prodigies Larissa and Abrascha become unlikely best friends with Hanna, a German girl who dreams of becoming a concert violinist. When Germany breaks the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact and invades, the three must stand together against the aggressive forces of both fascism and communism that threaten to tear them asunder.

Director Marcus Rosenmüller has crafted a moving testament to the transcendent power of music and friendship in a world made unrecognisable by the horrors of war. Unflinching yet hopeful, Wunderkinder is a necessary story about the things that bind us together when everything else seems to be falling apart.

Rated M (No person under the age of 15 years shall be admitted to the screenings unless in the company of a parent or adult guardian.)

D Marcus Rosenmüller P Alice Brauner, Artur Brauner S Stephen Glantz, Kris Karathomas, Markus Rosenmüller, Rolf Schübel Dist Umbrella Entertainment L German w/English subtitles TD DCP/2011

Please note: The Thursday 26 July session of Wunderkinder is a special pre-festival screening to coincide with German Day Out 2012. This session is open to all and ticketed as a regular MIFF session.