The Sky Has Four Corners

The story of two boys coming from different social backgrounds: the sensitive loner Joschi who had to move with his father from a better district after his parents’ separation, and Niko, full of bravado, whose family came to Germany from Kazakhstan, staying out of the way of his drunken father. In the neighborhood cinema, the two friends secretly idolize the figure of a vampire up on the screen. In a magical twist, Count Karpatovicz steps out of the screen to help the boys realize Niko’s sister Tatjana’s dream of escaping from the confines of the rundown tenement to become a boxing champion.

Directed by Klaus Wirbitzky, The Sky Has Four Corners leans on a strong ensemble — Charly Hübner, Lisa Maria Potthoff, Sandra Borgmann — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about family titles of 2011.