Beta 6S Sisi NEU2.Qxd:Layout 1 25.09.2009 16:33 Uhr Seite 1

Beta_6S_Sisi_NEU2.qxd:Layout 1 25.09.2009 16:33 Uhr Seite 1

miniSeries

A “SISI” FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Award-winning director Xaver Schwarzenberger has proven As to the spelling of the Empress's nickname, Schwarzenberger his expertise in bringing historical subjects to vibrant life. In explains that it was actually spelled “Sisi” at the time. “Our Sisi this production, he is supported by a stellar cast and crew is a modern, exciting story about a person with depth… Sisi topped by Italian up-and-coming talent Cristiana Capotondi was an idol, a pop star and a style icon at a time when these as Sisi, and featuring international star Martina Gedeck (The words didn't even exist. With her rebellious courage to stand Lives of Others) as Sisi's formidable mother-in-law. “Sisi” up for her convictions, Sisi can still be a role model today.” builds on the high emotional impact that has made the “Sissi” (Xaver Schwarzenberger) films one of the most successful fairy tales of modern times.

THE PRODUCTION

The two-part miniseries is a production of superlatives that recreates 19th-century life at historical locations such as the Vienna Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Laxenburg Palaces, Eckertsau Palace, Brunnsee Palace, as well as on the Lido and in the streets of Venice. For the scenes at Miramare Palace in Italy, a historical ship was brought expressly to Trieste. Particular attention was lavished on the 20 coaches drawn by 100 horses.

The golden wedding coach is an original six-horse carriage of 1740 lent by the Archbishop of Olomouc. The production also required 2,000 extras and about 700 costumes, including 40 different dresses for Sisi alone. Historical battle reenactors were hired to provide authenticity for the battles of Königgrätz and Solferino.

Category Drama Genre Miniseries Original title Sisi Directed by Xaver Schwarzenberger Written by Ivan Cotroneo Monica Rametta design: www.diewerberei.net design: Christiane Sadlo Starring Cristiana Capotondi David Rott

territories/ 1 Martina Gedeck Licia Maglietta Herbert Knaup Christiane Filangieri Fanny Stavjanik

tractual • Different Christoph von Friedl Production Credits Produced by EOS Entertainment, Sunset Austria and Publispei in association with ZDF, ORF, RAI and Beta Format 2 x two hour www.betafilm.com/sisi

PART 2 PART 1 Though profoundly shaken by her daughter’s death, Sisi 1853. The Austrian Empire has quelled the revolutionary But Sisi forges onward, provoking admiration as well as continues to fulfill her duties as wife, mother and Empress. stirrings of 1848, but the tension remains palpable. At the disapproval. Her interest in politics leads to differences of War now looms over the Empire, and Franz Joseph hopes elegant spa of Bad Ischl, young Emperor Franz Joseph has opinion between her and the Emperor, which put their love to for the support of the French Emperor Napoleon III in his something else than unruly provinces on his mind: love. the test. The Emperor can no longer turn a blind eye to struggle to subdue the renegade Italian provinces. But Though his mother Archduchess Sophie wants him to marry the problems in his realm: revolution is in the air, and the Napoleon betrays Austria... the young Bavarian Princess Helene, it is Helene’s spirited, life- conflict between Franz Joseph and Sisi grows when the loving younger sister Elisabeth – called Sisi – who captures charismatic Hungarian revolutionary Count Andrassy wins Sisi’s domestic life also offers her little comfort, for she now Franz Joseph’s heart. In a move untypical of the strictly raised Sisi over to his cause. openly opposes her mother-in-law on the issue of raising her emperor, Franz Joseph defies his mother and decides to marry son Rudolf. With Franz Joseph’s assent, Sophie wins this battle Sisi. After a sumptuous wedding in Vienna, court life once Franz Joseph then decides to involve Sisi more closely in the and subjects the Crown Prince to a rigid education. Sisi feels again takes hold of Franz Joseph – and stifles the freedom- political life of the empire and takes her on official visits relegated to the sidelines, her views unwanted, her wishes loving, liberal-minded Sisi. Especially tense are her relations abroad, to Italy and Hungary. But while they’re in Budapest, unheeded. She tries to find peace in Venice... with her mother-in-law Sophie, who does not appreciate tragedy strikes: the couple’s youngest daughter Sophie falls Sisi’s unconventional ways and intends to tame the “wild” ill and dies... Finally, Franz Joseph rebels against his mother and removes young woman... little Rudolf from the military academy. This gesture alone is enough to prove how much he loves Sisi, who returns to the

She is undoubtedly the most famous and beloved woman court more self-confident and dazzling than ever before. She in the history of Austria, and one of the most fascinating now has the power to play an active role in determining the personalities of the 19th century: Empress Elisabeth of politics of the Empire, and soon intervenes in the conflict Austria-Hungary (1837-1898). Her legendary stature is based between Austria and Hungary. Wide-ranging concessions to on her beauty, her charisma and her tragic death, as well as on the Hungarians prevent the Empire’s collapse and lets Sisi and the influence she exerted on the imperial politics of her day. Franz Joseph look to the future with confidence...