Like many others, German refugee Georg has fled Paris to escape the impending war. He has assumed the identity of a famous but deceased writer, and plans to use the man’s documentation to obtain a transit visa and immigrate to Mexico. But when Georg encounters the dead man’s wife Marie in Marseille, he finds himself dangerously drawn to her.
The latest film from renowned German director Christian Petzold (Barbara, Phoenix) is more than just an adaptation of Anna Seghers’ WWII-set novel. Although the story is anchored in the past, Petzold ambitiously relocates events to a contemporary setting, blurring the lines between past and present, and creating ambiguity for the viewer. The result is a thrilling and unique piece of work.

Director Christian Petzold. 102 minutes, Germany, France, 2018, 12A