PILOTINNEN (GER, 1994, 70 min)
For years, Karin has worked as a cosmetics sales representative. To save on hotel costs, she sometimes sleeps in her car. When a new junior boss takes over the company, she is instructed to increase her productivity. The young and attractive Sophie — who also happens to be the junior boss’s wife — is assigned to accompany her. Karin fears that Sophie intends to take her job. Despite the tension between them, the two women begin their long sales tour together. Until one day, a discovery unites their opposing sides and the women join forces against the world of men. PILOTINNEN is Petzold’s graduation film from the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (dffb) and also his first television film.

ABOUT
Christian Petzold, born on September 14, 1960, in Hilden, North Rhine-Westphalia, is one of the most renowned German directors of today. After graduating from high school and completing his military civilian service at a local cinema club in Hilden, he studied German and theater at the Free University of Berlin and also film at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin. Early on in his career, he worked with Harun Farocki, among others. He celebrated his breakthrough with DIE INNERE SICHERHEIT (2000). With films like YELLA (2007), BARBARA (2012), TRANSIT (2018), and ROTER HIMMEL (2023) he has shaped and continues to shape contemporary German auteur cinema to this day. He was represented with his new film MIROIRS NO. 3 at the 78th international Cannes Film Festival in 2025. Petzold lives with his wife, the documentary filmmaker, Aysun Bademsoy, and their two children in Berlin-Kreuzberg.