Headstand (1982)
An early Christoph Waltz performance anchors this Austrian drama about a young man unjustly confined to a psychiatric institution.
Headstand - Movie Information
- Original Title: Kopfstand
- Release Year: 1982
- Directed by: Ernst Josef Lauscher
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 5, 1982 (Austria)
- Production Companies: Herbert Koller
- Production Countries: Austria
Headstand - Plot
A misunderstood youth is incorrectly placed in a mental hospital.
Where to Watch Headstand
Looking for where to watch Headstand?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Headstand - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ernst Josef Lauscher
Main Cast
- Christoph Waltz
- Ingrid Burkhard
- Elisabeth Epp
- Pavel Landovský
- Kurt Jaggberg
- Krista Posch
- Hermann Schmid
- Heinz Petters
- Erwin Steinhauer
Writers
- Ernst Josef Lauscher
Producers
- Götz Hagmüller
Headstand - FAQs
What is Headstand about?
Headstand follows Markus Dorn, a young man who is misunderstood by those around him and wrongly committed to a psychiatric institution. The film explores the ethical failures of a system that mistakes nonconformity for illness, trapping an ordinary person in an extraordinary injustice.
Who plays the lead role in Headstand?
Christoph Waltz plays Markus Dorn, the young man at the center of the story. Long before his Oscar-winning roles in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, this 1982 Austrian drama gave Waltz one of his earliest significant screen appearances.
Is Headstand based on a true story?
Headstand does not appear to be based on a specific documented true story. However, its themes of wrongful psychiatric institutionalization reflect real ethical debates and documented abuses in mental health systems that were widely discussed in Europe during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Who directed the 1982 Austrian film Headstand?
Ernst Josef Lauscher directed Headstand, also serving as the film's writer. The Austrian production was released on February 5, 1982, and stands as a notable early work in the careers of both Lauscher and a then-unknown Christoph Waltz.
What is the runtime of Headstand?
Headstand runs for 102 minutes, or about 1 hour and 42 minutes. The film takes its time building the emotional and institutional pressures closing in on Markus Dorn, giving the drama room to develop its themes of injustice and systemic failure.
What language is Headstand filmed in?
Headstand is filmed entirely in German. It is an Austrian production, and the dialogue reflects the Austrian German spoken in Vienna and its surroundings, adding an authentic regional texture to the film's institutional and social setting.
What are similar films to Headstand?
If Headstand resonates with you, consider watching The Mad Women's Ball (2021), Changeling (2008), or Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) for similarly charged explorations of confinement and identity. Romulus, My Father (2007) and Elizabeth Blue (2017) also share its intimate, character-driven emotional depth.
Where can I watch Headstand online?
Streaming availability for Headstand varies by region and platform. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which aggregates current viewing options across all major streaming services and lets you filter by your country to find where the film is available right now.
More About Headstand
Explore further details about Headstand on these trusted databases.