Screened as part of NZIFF 2021

Undine 2020

Directed by Christian Petzold Spotlight

This captivating tale of fated lovers, drawing on myth and fantasy, is also a love song to Berlin.

Nov 15

SBS St James Theatre

Nov 19

SBS St James Theatre

Germany In German with English subtitles
91 minutes DCP

Rent

Director, Screenplay

Cast

Paula Beer
,
Franz Rogowski
,
Maryam Zaree
,
Jacob Matschenz
,
Anne Ratte-Polle
,
Rafael Stachowiak
,
Julia Franz Richter
,
Gloria Endres de Oliveira

Producers

Florian Koerner von Gustorf
,
Michael Weber

Cinematography

Has Fromm

Editor

Bettina Böhler

Music

J.S. Bach

Festivals

Berlin 2020

Awards

Best Actress & FIPRESCI Prize (Competition), Berlin International Film Festival 2020

Elsewhere

German auteur Christian Petzold is a master in the art of tightening an invisible grip on his characters; they can appear as though becalmed, between worlds, stranded and hovering in a transitory state due to circumstance, fate or personality – and not always aware of the fact. Undine is no exception, and his latest heroine is perhaps his most slippery and elusive yet. But then, her name belongs to a mythical creature, a female water nymph whose lack of a soul, not to mention her aquatic environment, can complicate interaction with humans.

A historian, Undine’s subject is Berlin: its many strata, both geographical and architectural; she delves deep into what lies below and in the past. Christophe, a diver tasked with assessing the underwater foundations of the city’s constructions, witnesses one of Undine’s presentations at her workplace, the Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing. A restaurant aquarium brings them together in one of the most startling first encounters viewers are likely to see at this festival. They are instantly transfixed and launch into a passionate affair.

The chemistry between Paula Beer and Franz Rogowski, stars of Petzold’s Transit (NZIFF 2018), powers this film of strangeness and wonders, plunging viewers into an intoxicating waking dream. — Sandra Reid