By José Alberto Hermosillo
“Undine” is a poetic and subtly haunting masterpiece by accomplished German director Christian Petzold. His latest work seamlessly shifts between romance, thriller, and fantasy.
The detailed plot immerses characters in a rare aquatic world where they struggle with internal transformations they wish to avoid. After a tough breakup, Undine (Paula Beer: “Barbara,” “Frantz,” “Dark Valley,” “Never Look Away”) and Johannes (Jacob Matschenz, “Berlin Babylon” series) never hear from each other again.
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| Undine, still courtesy of IFC Films |
Undine falls into an obsessive mindset. She works as a historian at Berlin’s Urban Development Museum. When she gives a lecture, she hopes her ex-lover will stay at the café until she’s finished. If not, she might do something she regrets. Still, her profession gives her confidence. Additionally, her knowledge of Berlin’s history and architectural design around the Spree River is significant to the story.
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| Undine, still courtesy of IFC Films |
When Undine returns, she cannot find Johannes. Instead, she encounters Christoph, played by Franz Rogowski (“Transit,” “Victoria,” and “A Hidden Life”). Undine and Christoph meet in one of cinema history’s most bizarre first encounters.
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| Undine, still courtesy of IFC Films |
The characters’ emotions perfectly enhance the camera work. Paula Beer radiates energy and joy on screen. She earned the Silver Berlin Bear for Best Actress for her remarkable portrayal as Undine. Franz Rogowski’s performance is exceptional.
The talented young actor consistently delivers his best in every project. Besides winning at the Berlinale, the film received seven international awards, including Best Actress at the European Film Awards, Montclair, and Seville.
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| Undine, still courtesy of IFC Films |
Inspired by the novel “Moscow Diary” by German-Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin, director Christian Petzold (Barbara, Transit) spent two years writing the script for “Undine.” However, first, he had to capture Moscow’s view of Berlin—exploring the novel’s legend across three different periods in the city’s history and focusing on three specific aspects of Berlin’s architecture.
He also had to shift the perspective from male to female to make the film’s structure more cohesive and to enhance the original poetry.
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| Christian Petzold, German director, "Undine." Photo: José Alberto Hermosillo |
Petzold designed his cinema trilogy inspired by elements of nature, starting with “Phoenix,” which represents Earth. “Undine” symbolizes water. His next project, “The Lucky Ones,” will embody fire and begin production in May 2022.
Petzold masters cinematic language, seamlessly blending urban knowledge into the story's fantasy. His previous film, “Transit,” is intense, with more theatrical characters. “Undine” feels more fluid and ethereal, like water itself. The director enjoys building structures, literally.
He regrets that Germany lacks a stable film industry, a professional movie studio, or the necessary infrastructure to produce films on par with Hollywood. Still, his extensive body of work speaks volumes.
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| Undine, still courtesy of IFC Films |
“Undine” reminds us of other recent compelling European romances on the big screen, such as Jacques Audiard’s “Rust and Bone” and the Belgian film “The Broken Circle Breakdown” by Felix van Groeningen. Other transcendent romances include the classic Arthur Hiller’s “Love Story” and Claude Lelouch’s Oscar-winning film, “A Man and a Woman.”
“Undine” has a smooth flow and maintains an even emotional tone. Its structure features twists and turns that lead us to unpredictable situations.
According to the myth, Undine is the betrayed woman of the waters, living in a lake in the forest.
The spirit in the water serves as a symbolic connection that links all the liquid images— the fish tank, the scuba diver, the river, the lake, the rain, the swimming pool, the city, the burning pain, and love, which dissolves like a fluid.
In “Undine,” the romance surpasses the myth because, without love, we are hollow.
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