Frantz (2016)

In the aftermath of WWI, a young German who grieves the death of her fiancé in France meets a mysterious Frenchman who visits the fiancé's grave to lay flowers.

Director:

François Ozon

Writers:

François Ozon (scenario), Philippe Piazzo (in collaboration with)

Stars:

Pierre Niney, Paula Beer, Ernst Stötzner

7 wins & 35 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pierre Niney	...	Adrien Rivoire
Paula Beer	...	Anna
Ernst Stötzner	...	Doktor Hans Hoffmeister
Marie Gruber	...	Magda Hoffmeister
Johann von Bülow	...	Kreutz
Anton von Lucke	...	Frantz Hoffmeister
Cyrielle Clair	...	La mère d'Adrien
Alice de Lencquesaing	...	Fanny
Axel Wandtke	...	Le réceptionniste de l'hôtel
Rainer Egger	...	Le gardien du cimetière allemand
Rainer Silberschneider	...	Le vendeur de la robe
Merlin Rose	...	Le jeune homme ivre
Ralf Dittrich	...	Adolf
Michael Witte	...	Gustav
Lutz Blochberger	...	L'homme du lac

Storyline

In 1919 Quedlinburg, Germany, a young woman named Anna is still mourning the death of her fiance, Frantz Hoffmeister, in the Great War while living with his equally devastated parents. One day, a mysterious Frenchman, Adrien Rivoire, comes to town both to pay his respects to Frantz's grave and to contact that soldier's parents. Although it is difficult for both sides with the bitterness of Germany's defeat, Adrian explains that he knew Frantz and gradually he wins Anna and the Hoffmeisters' hearts as he tries to connect with them. Unfortunately, Adrien and Anna discover the truth of his motives and things seem shattered for all. However, when Adrien leaves, Anna has her own struggles with the truth and her feelings until she sets out to find Adrien in France. With that, Anna has her own journey to make in more than one sense, even as they both realize that neither have easy answers to their complex personal conflicts with each other and the dead man linking them.

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Plot Keywords:

germany | world war one | post world war one | black and white segues into color | guilty conscience | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Pierre Niney was not a German speaker, so his co-star Paula Beer taped his lines in German and he learned them by ear, according to director François Ozon.

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Connections

Referenced in Honest Trailers: Jurassic Park 3 (2018)

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Soundtracks

Les retrouvailles
Composed & Conducted By Philippe Rombi
Performed by Orchestre Symphonique Bel'Arte
(p) 2016 Cristal Records
Label BORIGINAL - Distribution Sony

User Reviews

One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen

This movie threw me for a loop. It got a good review in the newspaper I read, and a friend invited me to go with her friends, so I did. I was not expecting to be overwhelmed by one of the very finest, most beautiful movies I have ever had the good fortune to see.

To begin with, this movie repeatedly throws you for a loop. You are sure you know where it's going - or at least I was sure - only to discover that you were wrong and the characters have something else in mind. I can't explain any of that without spoiling it for you, which I won't, but suffice it to say that this movie is full of surprises.

It is also full of great acting. Understated, yes, but very great nonetheless.

And the photography, often black and white, is wonderful.

It's hard to write much about this movie without spoiling it for those who have not seen it yet, which I most certainly do not want to do.

So I will close by saying that I sat entranced through the whole thing - and that is no exaggeration. If you enjoy great acting beautifully photographed and directed, you will love this movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook (French) Official Facebook (German)

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French German

Release Date:

7 September 2016 (France)

Also Known As:

Frantz

Filming Locations:

Görlitz, Saxony, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,745, 19 March 2017

Gross USA:

$880,883

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,478,354

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mandarin Films, X-Filme Creative Pool, FOZ

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1