The stars alone attracted my attention. According to Zelluloid.de, WINTERREISE features Hanna Schygulla (one of Fassbinder's favorites), Andre Hennicke (ANTIBODIES; my review here), Josef Bierbichler (CODE UNKNOWN), and the bewitching Sibel Kekilli (HEAD ON; Todd's review here). Hans Sebastian Steinbichler directed; he previously made HIERANKL, which was a twisted family drama that went off the rails after a promising start. Here's the synopsis from the Austrian Film Commission:
"Bipolar small businessman and misanthrope Brenninger tyrannizes his family and refuses to let anyone help him. When his company is threatened by bankruptcy, he gets involved in some dubious business deals in Nigeria. After hitting rock bottom, he discovers what's really important in life while in the African wilderness, thanks to the help of 18-year-old Vanessa."
Bierbichler plays Brenninger; Kekilli will be a very helpful Vanessa; I would guess that Schygulla would be his wife, and Hennicke someone dubious. WINTERREISE is also the title of a song cycle by composer Franz Schubert, based on the poetry of Wilhelm Muller; the word translates into English as "winter travel" or "winter journey," so expect some deeply symbolic soul searching to be on display in what sounds like a psychological drama.
Bella Halben, the film's director of photography, has a web site where you can view behind the scenes photos from the shoot. Click on "Press" to read several articles featuring her. Now will someone please find me a trailer or a release date? I've searched in vain so far, though the Rotterdam or Berlin festivals in January/February seem likely target dates.