femme totale is pleased to continue its programme of independent minded young actresses from the last Festival, the focus here, as the title suggests, on young actresses who accept unconventional roles away from TV mainstream and the cult of what passes for comedy. The actress in question is invited to attend the Festival, present a film of her choice and take part in a discussion with the audience.

This time at our focus:
Actress and singer Meret Becker, one of the most striking personalities of the contemporary cinema, prefers slightly odd, even broken personalities. Or characters scurrilous, obstinate, uncompromising and on the verge of disaster.

The first walk-on parts were followed by appearances in KLEINE HAIE (SMALL SHARKS) and ALLEIN UNTER FRAUEN (ALONE AMONG WOMEN). In 1990, she was awarded the Grimme Prize for her role as the deaf-and-dumb Ally in FREMDE, LIEBE, FREMDE (STRANGE LOVE STRANGE). She also picked up awards and nominations for her roles in DAS VERSPRECHEN (THE PROMISE), ROSSINI'S and COMEDIAN HARMONISTS. Strangely enough, the German public at large has not yet had the opportunity to see her role as a prostitute in the cowboy film PAINTED ANGELS. One reason why Meret wishes to present this Anglo-Canadian production, her first international film, at this year's festival.

In 1996, she issued her first CD Noctambule with great success and followed this up with Nachtmahr (Nightmare). Music is as important to her as acting. Her show Speak Low - a declaration of love to Kurt Weill - marked the composer's 100th birthday. So specially for the Kissproof lovefest in Dortmund this year, she has revived the show along with a fine ensemble of musicians: Laszio Gulyas, Peter Malay, Alexander Hacke, Claus Cordermann and German Marstatt. The concert is presented by the CineStar Dortmund.