First in a new series of German films (at Stoke Lodge): Phoenix – directed by Christian Petzold.

Petzold writes his own scripts, but the films all have a link to either periods or real events in history, so this gives them a strong feeling of authenticity. He is also a political activist and social campaigner. Many of his films have featured the actor Nina Hoss has won many awards for her performances but she also campaigns for social justice. The most successful film from the partnership between Petzold and Hoss is the multi award winning ‘Barbara,’ which we showed last year in our series on East Germany.

In this film Hoss plays Auschwitz survivor Nelly who is heavily bandaged after facial surgery. On returning home she finds that her husband has remarried. He does not recognise her but sees a faint resemblance so asks her to take on the identity of his former wife to access her inherited fortune. She agrees so becomes her own imposter.

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