20 years since its release and consequent Best Foreign Film Oscar and BAFTA wins, we present what is still regarded as one of the best 21st century German films to be made. Screening in partnership with the Friends of Speyer Twinning Association.
In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck). Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders Wiesler to get the playwright out of the way. This film works beautifully, both as a social and psychological drama and as a taut, tightly wired thriller. The final minutes are as brilliantly written and acted as you can ever hope for. This is a delight to bring back to the Chichester Cinema big screen. (Subtitles)
Germany 2006 Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck 137m
