‘A Whole Life,’ Based on Robert Seethaler Bestseller, Debuts Trailer Ahead of Zurich Film Festival Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

The international trailer for A Whole Life, which will have its world premiere in the Gala section of the Zrich Film Festival (Sept. 28 to Oct. 8), has debuted with Variety (below). Picture Tree Intl. is handling world sales.

The film, which will be released in Germany on Nov. 8 by Tobis Filmverleih, will have its North American premiere at Newport Beach, followed by its Canadian premiere at Whistler.

A Whole Life is based on the bestselling novel by Robert Seethaler, and was adapted for the screen by Ulrich Limmer, whose credits include Oscar nominee Schtonk.

The book, first published in 2014, has been translated into 40 languages and was described as a novel of the century in several reviews. In German-speaking countries, it has sold more than 1.6 million copies.

John Williams of the New York Times said the book is one of those stripped-down everyman stories that is transparently, self-consciously about Much More: The encroachment of modernity, the universal nature of love and heartbreak, the quickness of our passage through life.

A Whole Life tells the story of Andreas Egger over eight decades of the last century, a life marked by poverty, war and violence, but also moments of bliss and love. His experiences make him a humble man, happy with the little things life has to offer.

The film is directed by Hans Steinbichler, whose films include Berlin Film Festival entry The Diary of Anne Frank, and the third season of pay TV operator Skys series Das Boot. Austrian actor Stefan Gorski takes the lead role. The film was shot in the Austrian and Bavarian Alps.

Steinbichler said: The story is a metaphor about what matters in life and is a mirror for ourselves in a restless and competitive world. Limmer added: It is a life story that questions and makes us think about how we would want to look back on our lives when the time has come.

A Whole Life is produced by Germanys Tobis Film and Austrias Epo-Film. The producers are Tim Oberwelland from Tobis, and Jakob and Dieter Pochlatko of Epo-Film. It is produced with the support of FFF Bayern, DFFF and FFA as well as FI, ORF, FISA, CineTirol and IDM Sdtirol.