Screened as part of NZIFF 2009

Jerichow 2008

Directed by Christian Petzold

A taut 21st-century refit of Depression-era pulp classic The Postman Always Rings Twice by leading German director Christian Petzold with his mesmerising regular actress Nina Hoss. “A world-class talent.” — Variety

Germany In German with English subtitles
93 minutes 35mm

Director, Screenplay

Producers

Florian Koerner von Gustorf
,
Michael Weber

Photography

Hans Fromm

Editor

Bettina Böhler

Art director

Kade Gruber

Costume designer

Anette Guther

Sound

Andreas Mücke-Niesytka
,
Martin Ehlers-Falkenberg
,
Martin Steyer

Music

Stefan Will

With

Benno Fürmann (Thomas)
,
Nina Hoss (Laura)
,
Hilmi Sözer (Ali)
,
André M. Hennicke (Leon)
,
Claudia Geisler (administrator)
,
Marie Gruber (cashier)
,
Knut Berger (policeman)

Festivals

Venice, Toronto, Pusan 2008; Rotterdam 2009

Elsewhere

The vanguard figure of the ‘New Berlin School’, Christian Petzold (Yella) brings his steely eye and mesmerising regular actress Nina Hoss to a 21st-century refit of The Postman Always Rings Twice set in the beautiful, economically hard-pressed German North East.

“Following a fateful encounter, Ali, an affable but shrewd and boozy Turkish businessman turns to Thomas, a mysterious and handsome ex-soldier, for help in managing his product distribution to his string of 45 snack bars. Sparks ignite when Thomas meets Ali's willowy, blonde wife Laura (Hoss) and the two attempt, though rather poorly, to suppress their mutual mounting desire. A meticulously constructed story of betrayal, secrecy, and sexual passion, Jerichow deftly plays with the conventions of a love triangle, and fashions a chamber piece that is pristinely shot, intricately detailed, and finely acted, flirting with but ultimately defying genre.” — Andréa Picard, Cinematheque Ontario