A taut 21st-century refit of Depression-era pulp classic The Postman Always Rings Twice by leading German director Christian Petzold with his mesmerising regular actress Nina Hoss. “A world-class talent.” — Variety
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.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2009
Jerichow 2008
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