He rejected both the ideal line and the latest ski technology, but when Franz Klammer completed his stunning run down Mount Patscherkofel in less than two minutes he made Austrian sporting history. Elisabeth and Andreas Schmied are too young to have experienced this moment in person, but they certainly appreciate the fascination of the Klammer phenomenon. Together they wrote the screenplay for CHASING THE LINE, which focuses on the few days before the legendary Olympic event. In Andreas Schmied’s sixth cinema film he studies the man and myth that is Franz Klammer and hauls a moment of collective joy back into the present.

Franz Klammer’s historic Olympic downhill race of 1976 revived on the big screen: a gala night will be dedicated to the world premiere of Andreas Schmied’s vibrant CHASING THE LINE at the 17^th ZFF. Another gala screening for Annecy entry WELCOME TO SIEGHEILKIRCHEN and two contenders to the Fokus competition – GREAT FREEDOM and ROOM WITHOUT A VIEW – add to a strong Austrian presence at this year’s Zurich Film Festival (Sept 23 to Oct. 3)