Clarissa’s Secret2012

Director
Xaver Schwarzenberger

Acters

Paula Kalenberg (Stella)
Katja Riemann (Charlotte/Clara)
Herbert Knaup (Konstantin)
Fritz Karl (Carlo)
Friedrich von Thun (Albert)
Krista Stadler (Dodo)

A teenage girl who has never met her father, lives with her mother in Africa where they work as safari guides. After her mother’s tragic car accident, she discovers she has family in Austria and decides to find out more about them.

Gleaming sun, wild animals, the fascinating nature of the South African savannah – 18-year-old Stella grew up with her mother Clarissa in this enchantingly beautiful and harsh world. Together the two women run a safari lodge for tourists from all over the world. Stella never met her father. One day, however, an unexpected visitor from Europe disturbs the idyllic life: the journalist Carlo, an old friend of Clarissa, is researching diamond smuggling and asks Clarissa for help. A little later, Clarissa dies in a tragic car accident. However, Stella’s grief is soon mixed with another shock: she has to learn that her mother’s identity and thus her own origins were fictitious. A world collapses for Stella. Why did the mother leave her homeland, break off all contact with her family and even change her name? And why didn’t she even confide in her almost grown daughter?

“Schwarzenberger manages to create a relaxed, at times exciting family drama with adventure elements, which primarily relies on a dense atmosphere, harmonious images and great actors.” – Quotenmeter.de

“Well-made feel-good cinema with very good actors.” – Moviepilot.de

“Schwarzenberger films are always appealing in every way; Topics that are not always easy to represent are never cheesy. The excellent camera work is particularly noteworthy.” – Amazon.com