Jerichow
“A taut, brilliantly acted thriller... in which characters simmer with violent passions. Here is a filmmaker whose name critics should be shouting from the rooftops.” — Scott Foundas, LA Weekly
Germany
M - contains violence, offensive language and sex scenes
Screenplay: Christian Petzold
Producers: Florian Koerner von Gustorf, Michael Weber
Photography: Hans Fromm
Editor: Bettina Böhler
Art director: Kade Gruber
Costume designer: Anette Guther
Sound: Andreas Mücke-Niesytka, Martin Ehlers-Falkenberg, Martin Steyer
Music: Stefan Will
In German with English subtitles
M violence, offensive language. sex scenes
With: Benno Fürmann (Thomas), Nina Hoss (Laura), Hilmi Sözer (Ali), André M. Hennicke (Leon), Claudia Geisler (administrator), Marie Gruber (cashier), Knut Berger (policeman)
Festivals: Venice, Toronto, Pusan 2008; Rotterdam 2009
The vanguard figure of the ‘New Berlin School’, Christian Petzold (Yella) brings his steely eye and mesmerising regular actress Nina Hoss to a 21st-century refit of The Postman Always Rings Twice set in the beautiful, economically hard-pressed German North East.
“Following a fateful encounter, Ali, an affable but shrewd and boozy Turkish businessman turns to Thomas, a mysterious and handsome ex-soldier, for help in managing his product distribution to his string of 45 snack bars. Sparks ignite when Thomas meets Ali's willowy, blonde wife Laura (Hoss) and the two attempt, though rather poorly, to suppress their mutual mounting desire. A meticulously constructed story of betrayal, secrecy, and sexual passion, Jerichow deftly plays with the conventions of a love triangle, and fashions a chamber piece that is pristinely shot, intricately detailed, and finely acted, flirting with but ultimately defying genre.” — Andréa Picard, Cinematheque Ontario