After seeing the magnificent film, Phoenix, I watched another film directed by Christian Petzold, with two stars from Phoenix, Nina Hoss and Ronald Zehrfeld.
Barbara (Hoss) is a doctor in East Germany in the 1980s. She was working in Berlin but when she applied for an exit visa to the west, she was sent to a country clinic.
There she is resentful, bored, and under surveillance by the Stasi, who come to her home, search it completely, and strip search her all the time. Also, in such a small environment, there's a good chance everyone is a Stasi spy and reporting her.
Barbara's dream is to escape to the west, and she has a boyfriend who comes over from time to time to see her and sends her money surreptitiously, which she hides under a rock.
The doctor with whom she works, Andre (Zehrfeld) seems to like her, but like everything else, she has to be careful whom she talks to and what she says, as she can trust no one. There is an attraction between the two, however.
Barbara is a compassionate and wonderful doctor, interacting well with her patients, in particular a young woman, Stella, who is facing a crisis and is dependent upon her for help.
Beautiful film with an incredible atmosphere - Barbara bikes home and to where she hides the money - a beautiful setting, with the wind blowing - the whole atmosphere is one of isolation and chill. She is tentative with her landlady saying only what needs to be said -- anyone could be spying on her. She is advised by Andre not to act so arrogant with the other hospital workers, who do smile at her and are happy to have her sit at their table for lunch.
This is a story about the desire for freedom - first of all, what is it? Is it in the mind? Is it physical? Can you be free anywhere and/or captive anywhere? Barbara finds her attitudes changing and her thinking readjusting.
A wonderful film from a real master. Hoss is more beautiful here than in Phoenix, of course, and playing a very different character. She is a marvelous actress. Zehrfeld too is different here - since Phoenix was my first time seeing them, it was great to see more of their range.
A thought-provoking film.
Barbara (Hoss) is a doctor in East Germany in the 1980s. She was working in Berlin but when she applied for an exit visa to the west, she was sent to a country clinic.
There she is resentful, bored, and under surveillance by the Stasi, who come to her home, search it completely, and strip search her all the time. Also, in such a small environment, there's a good chance everyone is a Stasi spy and reporting her.
Barbara's dream is to escape to the west, and she has a boyfriend who comes over from time to time to see her and sends her money surreptitiously, which she hides under a rock.
The doctor with whom she works, Andre (Zehrfeld) seems to like her, but like everything else, she has to be careful whom she talks to and what she says, as she can trust no one. There is an attraction between the two, however.
Barbara is a compassionate and wonderful doctor, interacting well with her patients, in particular a young woman, Stella, who is facing a crisis and is dependent upon her for help.
Beautiful film with an incredible atmosphere - Barbara bikes home and to where she hides the money - a beautiful setting, with the wind blowing - the whole atmosphere is one of isolation and chill. She is tentative with her landlady saying only what needs to be said -- anyone could be spying on her. She is advised by Andre not to act so arrogant with the other hospital workers, who do smile at her and are happy to have her sit at their table for lunch.
This is a story about the desire for freedom - first of all, what is it? Is it in the mind? Is it physical? Can you be free anywhere and/or captive anywhere? Barbara finds her attitudes changing and her thinking readjusting.
A wonderful film from a real master. Hoss is more beautiful here than in Phoenix, of course, and playing a very different character. She is a marvelous actress. Zehrfeld too is different here - since Phoenix was my first time seeing them, it was great to see more of their range.
A thought-provoking film.