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Premiere in Hallein: The Soldier Monika” – A film about identity!
On September 16th and 23rd, 2025, “The Soldier Monika” will celebrate its premiere at the Hallein city cinema – a film about gender identity and rebellion.
Premiere in Hallein: The Soldier Monika” – A film about identity!
On September 16th and 23rd, 2025, the Hallein city cinema will be the venue for a special film screening. This is where “The Soldier Monika”, an impressive hybrid documentary by Paul Poet, celebrates its premiere in Salzburg. It is an exclusive opportunity because Hallein is the only cinema in all of Salzburg that shows this film. Poet, a renowned Austrian director and journalist, has created “The Soldier Monika,” a work that combines documentary with fictional elements and illuminates the life of Monika Donner, a transsexual former elite soldier.
Monika Donner is not only the protagonist of the film, but also a symbol for gender rights and an active personality in the right-wing political spectrum. The director Paul Poet, born in 1971, is known for his socially critical works, which often deal with the themes of power and abuse. In 2013, his film debut “Foreigners Out! Schlingensiefs Container” was awarded at the Biennale in Istanbul and received worldwide recognition.
Insights into production
“The Soldier Monika” was produced by Freibeuter Film and celebrated its world premiere at the Doc Lisboa Film Festival 2024. The film was also shown at renowned festivals such as the Torino Film Festival, the Solothurn Film Festival and the Hof Film Festival. Future international festival participation is already being planned. The main role of Monika Donner is played by Sarah Zaharanski, who comes from Adnet and has already appeared in popular TV productions such as “Soko Donau” and “Der Bergdoktor”.
After the film screenings there will be interactive audience discussions. Sarah Zaharanski will be there on both dates to answer questions from viewers. Director Paul Poet will also be present on September 16th, which offers the opportunity for deeper insights into the making of the film.
More than just a film
The narrative of “The Soldier Monika” is more than just the biography of a remarkable person; it is an intensive psychogram that addresses the challenges of gender identity in a conflict-ridden environment. In this work, the poet, known for his provocative approaches, examines the complex ideological fronts that Monika Donner experiences as a lone fighter between poetry and reality.
With its combination of convincing documentation and fictional elements, Paul Poet succeeds in captivating viewers and making them think. These screenings in the Hallein city cinema are clearly a highlight of the coming film weeks that no one should miss.
For more information about the performances and impressive achievements of Paul Poet and Sarah Zaharanski, take a look at the websites of meinkreis.at, freibeuterfilm.com and amannstudios.com.