26/12
Her joy is short-lived, because her health is deteriorating rapidly
Narrative
Lissy rejoices at the worsening situation at home for her husband Gerda. Even Leo Tolstoy knew that every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. This is also clear to German director Matthias GLASNER, who was awarded the Silver Bear at the BERLINALE 2024 for his new film DYING. However, he manages to add a motif of the northern German Protestant variety, which further intensifies the family’s melancholy. Lissy Lunies (Corinna HARFOUCH) and her husband Gerd (Hans Uwe BAUER) live in a small town in northern Germany and are already seriously feeling the effects of old age.
Accepting help is difficult for both of us
Their two children live far apart and have their own problems. Their son Tom (Lars EIDINGER) lives in Berlin and is somewhat successful as a conductor, but is hopelessly entangled in private quarrels. Daughter Ellen (Lilith STANGENBERG) lives in Hamburg and is so devoted to a life soaked in alcohol that after a night spent in alcohol she wakes up in Latvia. It’s true! They both cope with their parents in different ways.
weaknesses and their own imperfections
The fact that the film is not boring for three hours is determined by the fantastic cast, which also includes Anna BEDERKE, Robert GWISDEK, Saerom PARK, Saskia ROSENDAHL and Ronald ZEHRFELD. German actors Corinna HARFOUCH (nominated for the EUROPEAN FILM AWARD in 1989 for the film TREFFEN IN TRAVERS) and Hans Uwe BAUER were honored with the GERMAN FILM AWARD 2024 for their great performances. The duel at the table between HARFOUCH and EIDINGER is one of the most impressive things to have been seen in German cinema in recent years. The Lunies family is unhappy in its own way. A melancholic film from the German-speaking world!
Yes and no
Haven’t we seen enough of this? Of course, as a filmgoer you wonder whether this is a typically German (or at least North German) phenomenon or whether it would be possible in other cultures. However, Matthias GLASNER aims very high and follows the example of film giants such as Ingmar BERGMAN and Federico FELLINI. After all, it is not without reason that Tom Lunies preferred to watch the four-hour TV version of FANNY OH ALEXANDER (1983) on Christmas Eve. And the character played by Robert GWISDEK (in real life HARFOUCH’s son) reminds me at least of Steiner played by Alain CUNY in LA DOLCE VITA (1959).
We highly recommend it!
Of course, depressing German cinema is not for everyone. However, the way this story is so close to reality makes a special impression that is definitely worth the risk.