FRIENDS OF ROCK ROAD LIBRARY FILM CLUB ! Wednesday, 28 March 2018
The Lives of Others Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck German 2006, Cert 15, 137 min (English subtitles)
In this outstanding Oscar winning psychological and political thriller, we get a fascinating insight into the lengths and depths that the East European government went to in order to keep tabs on the lives of its population in the 80s. When cold and brutal official Wiesler is given the task of spying on acclaimed playwright Dreyman and his actress girlfriend, he relishes the task, knowing that if he uncovers subversive behaviour he will gain favour with his boss. But the longer he listens in on the couple, their friendships, passions and ideas, the more he real- ises that his own life and the harsh political regime are lacking in colour and joy in many respects. Slowly he be- gins to doubt the morality of his job and politics. As the lines between orders and compassion become blurred, Wiesler becomes more involved with his subject, walking a dangerous path between his duty and his new found reality. A suspenseful, poignant and utterly compelling film from critically acclaimed director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. (Wiedmann & Berg Productions) !
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com.watch
Screenplay: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck Music: Gabriel Yared/Stéphane Moucha Cinematography: Hagen Bogdanski
Cast Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler - Ulrich Mühe Christa-Maria Sieland - Martina Gedeck Georg Dreyman - Sebastian Koch Oberstleutnant Anton Grubitz - Ulrich Tukur Awards Oscar 2007 Best Foreign Language Film, Bafta 2007 Best Foreign Language Film, César Awards Best Foreign Film, European Film Awards 2006 Best Film/Best Actor/Best Screenwriter, a host of German Film Awards and Bavarian Film Awards.
Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck The Lives of Others was his first feature film which he spent three years writing, directing and completing. Following its international success he went on to direct the thriller The Tourist star- ring Johnny Depp and Angeline Jolie. It was nominated for three Golden Globes and proclaimed by The Hollywood Reporter an “international hit”.
Discussion Prompts 1. What kind of atmosphere is conveyed for the period and location, and how does the film create this atmosphere and accentuate the difference in the lives and liv- ing conditions of Wiesler and Dreyman?
2. How does the film show its concern with the question of performance and audiences? How does the film draw attention to this preoccupation? o Surveillance methods. o Stage performance (Christa-Maria is an actress) – [eg many refs to her performing/acting when she is off-stage too] o The two scenes showing excerpts from Dreyman’s play? o Wiesler’s behaviour when he is being watched interrogating o Behaviour is radically altered when you know someone else is/may be watching (the writers, etc.)How does the film show its concern with the question of performance and audiences? o Wiesler’s recording and involvement in Dreyman’s and Christa’s lives and Dreyman’s play as a constructed life.
3. Attention is drawn to a couple of works in the film - what is their significance? • Berthold Brecht’s poetry • Beethoven’s Apasionata • Die Sonate vom Guten Menschen – score music, composed by Gabriel Yard
Reviews and Further Reading Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 13 April 07 https://theguardian.com < film >apr David Gritten, The Telegraph 20 Sept 07 https://www.thetelegraph.co.uk >filmreviews A.O.Scott, The New York Times, 9 Feb 07 www.nytimes.com > 2007/02/09 > movies Timothy Garton Ash, The Stasi on Our Minds, The New York Review of Books, 31 May 07 www.nybooks.com > articles > 2007/05/31