The Girl with Nine Wigs

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Marc Rothemund directs. Martin Langer behind the camera. Simon Gstöttmayr cuts. Produced in Belgium, Germany. Dialogue in German.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

• 1Released 13 years ago.
• 2International production across 2 countries: Belgium, Germany.
• 3Directed by Marc Rothemund, shot by Martin Langer. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
• 4Editor Simon Gstöttmayr shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
• 5Lisa Tomaschewsky and Karoline Teska and David Rott carry the top of the cast.
• 6IMDB entry: tt2387806 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
• 7Only 63 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography

Martin Langer

Editing

Simon Gstöttmayr

Costume design

Silke Sommer

Runtime

117 min · 1h 57m

Aspect ratio (typical)

1.37:1 (Academy)

Status

Released

Original language

DE

Certification (US)

6

IMDB

The Girl with Nine Wigs (2013) ↗

Also by

Marc Rothemund

• 
  Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt

  2002 · ★ 8.7
• 
  Wanderjahre

  2000 · ★ 8.0
• 
  My Blind Date with Life

  2017 · ★ 7.5
• 
  This Crazy Heart

  2017 · ★ 7.3
• 
  Das gewisse Etwas

  2026 · ★ 7.2
• 
  Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

  2005 · ★ 7.1

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Community reviews

What people are saying

• Reno2015-06-23
  ★ 7.5/10

  A chance to self-discovery, at the end of the life. It is one of my favourite genre, but all the cancer themed movies are not emotional, here it comes a tragicomedy. Based on the bestseller autobiography about a young girl Sophie Ritter, who after discovering she has a rare type of cancer, her daring method of dealing it is what this story expands all the 2 hours for us. Despite a dark humour it is still inspiring. One of the ways to tackle the disease with having a positive energy and of course the boost comes from the people around us who cares very much. After all, treatment is a long process, so those ups and downs too this movie shown very well. Especially, the family member's behaviour won't be the same right from the beginning to end. Those phases were the pivot in transformation of each character and their relationship. Including romance as it one of the obstacles which affects mentally beside the physical troubles. And the friendship, that is always there to share and do those mischievous stuffs. The movie opens on the new year's eve celebration in the Belgium city, Antwerp and moves to Hamburg, Germany. Sophie is confident to begin her new life who's going turn 21 the same year. She also meets her man on that night. Followed days, when everything was going fine, the tragic trikes and tosses her world upside down. That's how the real story commence, her journey in the bus of agony where only the rare people takes it and only a very few makes out. In this case, it is a life changing experience, in her expedition she discovers herself, writes a blog, shares, parties and meets other patients. What happens next is again a followed new year's eve where the story concludes. Grandma says that every day I live worth ten years As for what the title says, Sophie is only a young, so she's enthusiastic and passionate in lifestyle, especially when it comes to exhibit her beauty. She won't let her sick to take it away. The idea of nine wigs with nine different names gives a distinct character together. So, 'Today I am Blonde', that's what the original title's meaning. The fake toy doll Stella is the first one you meet and then Daisy, who flirts, Sue, who fights, Fifi, who parties, followed by Lydia, Blondie, Uma, Pam and finally Bebe as a birthday girl. Each personality tells different tales of her new appearance which helps to enjoy the life and realise the world. When she meets an old patient, he tells his perspective of handling the illness and so a little boy along a girl with her own age. The movie '50/50' tells the importance of friendship. In 'The Bucket List', the importance of remaining precious days. So if you just look back any of the cancer theme movies you've seen, all of them briefs something valuable in life. Those achievements in a short period of time fulfills the life they are not going to live. That's the reason I always love this theme if it is narrated properly. This film was a slight different having attached comedy to the corner of the main plot which helped the portrayal to trim a bit of sentiments and adds a few fun portions. The contents are little stronger, so suitable for adults and maybe matured and older teens. Since it is established from a real life story definitely a good watch. Nice movie, not bestest among other awesome similar flicks, but worthy. 7/10

  Read full review ↓

Production companies

Who made it

• 

  ARD

  DE

Key crew

• NovelSophie van der Stap
• ProducerAndreas Bareiss
• ProducerSven Burgemeister
• EditorSimon Gstöttmayr
• Costume DesignSilke Sommer

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

• cancer

Release history · US

When it landed

• Theatrical2013-03-276

Also known as

International titles

• 拥有九顶假发的女孩CN
• Meisje met 9 PruikenNL