SALMONBERRIES
1991
Salmonberry (n.): a salmon-colored, raspberry-shaped fruit.
The citrus of the far north, containing twice as much vitamin C as oranges.
A film by Percy Adlon
k.d. lang • Rosel Zech • Chuck Connors
Jane Lind, Oscar Kawagley, Wolfgang Steinberg
Barefoot, by k.d. lang and Bob Telson
Performed by k.d. lang
Kotzebue is named for the tiny northwest Alaskan town where she was found abandoned as a baby. In search of an identity, she instead finds Roswitha, an exile from East Berlin who runs the town library with quiet efficiency. The two chip away at each others' emotional walls as, little by little, their love story unfolds between the snowy sky and the polar sea.
Shot on 35mm Kodak in October/November 1990 in Kotzebue, Alaska; and a reunified Berlin, one year after the fall of the wall.
English, 94 min
"The most moving, unexpected love story of the year."
– Hal Hinson, The Washington Post
"The movie conveys the mute endlessness of the snow plains and turns the Alaskan landscape into an important character in the story. Just as important is lang’s halting, awkward performance as Kotzebue. The Alberta born singer has never acted in films before, and that made her perfect for the part, says Adlon. 'I was fascinated by this androgynous but extremely tender and lovable person.'"
– Craig McInnis, Toronto Star
Screenplay by Percy and Felix Adlon
Produced by Eleonore Adlon
Produced for television by Dietrich von Watzdorf
Director of Photography - Tom Sigel
Editor - Conrad Gonzales
Production design - Amadeus Capra
Costume design - Cynthia Flynt
Music by Bob Telson and k.d. lang
A pelemele Film production
London Film Festival, 1991
Grand Prix des Amerique, World Film Festival Montreal, 1991
Bavarian Film Awards for Best Director Percy Adlon
& Best Actress Rosel Zech, 1991
