DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY: Emily Atef
PRODUCERS: Karsten Stöter
PHOTOGRAPHY: Thomas W. Kiennast
EDITOR: Hansjörg Weißbrich
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Silke Fischer
COSTUME DESIGNER: Janina Audick
MUSIC: Christoph Kaiser, Julian Maas
WITH: Marie Bäumer (Romy Schneider, Birgit Minichmayr (Hilde Fritsch), Charly Hübner (Robert Lebeck), Robert Gwisdek (Michael Jürgs), Denis Lavant (Fisherman Poet)

REVIEW

“Robert Lebeck’s photographs of Romy Schneider are world-famous. They capture this actress’s contradictory nature, her exuberance, melancholy and pain. Lebeck also took the photographs that were to accompany the legendary interview Romy Schneider granted ‘Stern’ magazine reporter Michael Jürgs in Quiberon in 1981 – in spite of her previous negative encounters with the German press. The actress had retired to this Breton spa town to recuperate with Hilde, her close friend of many years, keeping her company.

​The interview and black-and-white photos form the basis of this film that captures the special atmosphere of these three days in which Schneider bares her soul – to breaking point. The more the actress exposes herself and allows the person behind the celebrity to come to the fore, the more the group dynamics of the quartet kick in. Hilde is desperate to protect her friend from herself as she begins to break down the cynical reporter’s reserve with her disarming honesty. In his photo sessions, Lebeck rediscovers Romy Schneider’s many different faces. A multi-faceted portrait emerges of a compelling actress and woman who unsparingly gives her all and yet believes she has seldom truly been seen or understood.”

​— Berlin Film Festival 2018

FILM SOCIETY SCREENINGS*

Queenstown     
Tuesday 1 September, 8.15pm

Dunedin     
Wednesday 9 September, 7.30pm

Nelson     
Wednesday 15 September, 6.00pm

Wellington     
Monday 21 September, 6.15pm

Canterbury     
Monday 28 September, 7.30pm

Auckland     
Monday 5 October, 6.30pm

Timaru     
Monday 12 October, 6.00pm

Hamilton     
Monday 19 October, 8.00pm
​
​*Non-members welcome by donation (notes only please)​
See more GERMAN CINEMA >>
German Cinema selection presented in co-operation with the Goethe Institut