Venice Critics’ Week Title ‘Peacock’ Unveils Trailer

The first trailer for “Peacock,” led by “All Quiet on the Western Front” star Albrecht Schuch, has been revealed by MK2 ahead of the film’s world premiere in the Venice Critic’s Week competition.

The directorial debut of rising Austrian filmmaking Bernhard Wenger, the quirky tragicomedy revolves around the “Rent a Friend” concept prevalent in Japan and the U.S. and serves up a satirical view of societal values.

“Peacock” tells the story Matthias (Schuch), who works at a rent-a-friend agency and finds it increasingly difficult to open up again and be authentic in his private life. Wenger noted he had the idea of making a film about the subject after a research trip to Japan and that the character of Matthias was based on an agency employee he met there.

“The premise of the film is therefore not an abstruse dystopian construct, but rather an imminent reality I am worried about,” he said, adding that he’s “influenced by Scandinavian Cinema and British black comedy.” Wenger said the film boasts “very visual humour” and places characters into “weird situations we are all familiar with from everyday life.”

MK2 Films’ team, spearheaded by Fionnuala Jamison, launched sales on “Peacock” at last year’s American Film Market. The film will be released in Germany and Austria by Wild Bunch Germany, with MK2 Films handling international sales of the film outside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

“Peacock” is produced by NGF Geyrhalter Filmproduktion and Cala Filmproduktion.

See the trailer below: