German troops are fast approaching Paris. Georg, a German refugee, escapes to Marseille in the nick of time. In his luggage, he carries the documents of an author, Weidel, who has taken his own life in fear of his persecutors. Those documents include a manuscript, letters and the assurance of a visa from the Mexican embassy.
Christian Petzold - 1960 DEU
Christian Petzold - 1960 DEU
Christian Petzold (*1960 in Hilden) is one of the most innovative contemporary German directors. A crucial part of his education was his studies at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (1988–1994), where he began a close collaboration with his mentor, filmmaker, artist, and intellectual Harun Farocki (1944–2014), who would have a profound influence on his work.
After directing several short films and television productions, Petzold made his feature film debut with The State I Am In (2000) – the first chapter of his so-called “Ghost Trilogy,” which brought him international recognition – exploring the consequences of German reunification. In Barbara (2012), Phoenix (2014), and Transit (2018), he delves into themes of identity, trauma, and political persecution, forming what he describes as a “trilogy about love in times of repressive systems.”
With Undine (2020), Petzold began his "Trilogy of the Elements," intertwining mythological motifs with contemporary narratives. The second installment, Afire (2023), won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlinale. His latest project falls outside this trilogy and focuses on themes of loss and new beginnings.