NEVER LOOK AWAY, titled in German Werk ohne autor ("Work without Author"), is inspired by the life of artist Gerhard Richter and surveys the history of Germany from 1940 to the late 1960s as viewed through the eyes and mind of an artist. Written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck with an exceptional musical score by Max Richter and cinematography by Caleb Deschanel, the film invites us to see the changes in German history, from the Nazi regime (with many of the heinous crimes such as sterilization of women thought to be unfit) to the Berlin Wall division of East Germany GDR and West Germany and beyond - a division of country, political stances, and artistic movements.
The story opens in 1940 with the vagaries of WW II as we meet young artist-to-be Kurt witnessing the capture of his beloved aunt Elisabeth (Saskia Rosendahl) who utters the title of the film to the terrified Kurt. The fall of the Nazis results in the formation of the socialist GDR and the impact on all aspect of life, including art, is evident. Young artist Kurt Barnert (Tom Schilling) has fled to West Germany, but he continues to be tormented by the experiences of his childhood and youth in the Nazi years and during the GDR-regime. When he meets student Ellie (Paula Beer), he is convinced that he has met the love of his life and starts to create paintings that mirror not only his own fate, but also the traumas of an entire generation. Ellie's father, Professor Seeband (Sebastian Koch), a famous doctor, is dismayed at his daughter's choice of boyfriend, and vows to destroy the relationship. What neither of them knows is that their lives are already connected through a terrible crime Seeband committed decades ago. In art school Kurt struggles to find his significance as an artist, and with the help of fellow student Günther Preusser (Hanno Koffler) and Art Professor Antonius van Verten (Oliver Masucci), he finally discovers his unique gift. Of note, Kurt's art professor, is modeled on the artist Joseph Beuys who was the head of sculpture at the Kunstakadamie in Dusseldorf during the early 60s. This was at the time Gerhard Richter first enrolled.
Breathtakingly beautiful, this epic film allows the viewer to understand the history of Germany in all its forms and the effect the changes altered on all people as depicted through an artist's vision. Epic in length, offered in German with English subtitles, this is a film that deserve a very wide audience. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 22.
The story opens in 1940 with the vagaries of WW II as we meet young artist-to-be Kurt witnessing the capture of his beloved aunt Elisabeth (Saskia Rosendahl) who utters the title of the film to the terrified Kurt. The fall of the Nazis results in the formation of the socialist GDR and the impact on all aspect of life, including art, is evident. Young artist Kurt Barnert (Tom Schilling) has fled to West Germany, but he continues to be tormented by the experiences of his childhood and youth in the Nazi years and during the GDR-regime. When he meets student Ellie (Paula Beer), he is convinced that he has met the love of his life and starts to create paintings that mirror not only his own fate, but also the traumas of an entire generation. Ellie's father, Professor Seeband (Sebastian Koch), a famous doctor, is dismayed at his daughter's choice of boyfriend, and vows to destroy the relationship. What neither of them knows is that their lives are already connected through a terrible crime Seeband committed decades ago. In art school Kurt struggles to find his significance as an artist, and with the help of fellow student Günther Preusser (Hanno Koffler) and Art Professor Antonius van Verten (Oliver Masucci), he finally discovers his unique gift. Of note, Kurt's art professor, is modeled on the artist Joseph Beuys who was the head of sculpture at the Kunstakadamie in Dusseldorf during the early 60s. This was at the time Gerhard Richter first enrolled.
Breathtakingly beautiful, this epic film allows the viewer to understand the history of Germany in all its forms and the effect the changes altered on all people as depicted through an artist's vision. Epic in length, offered in German with English subtitles, this is a film that deserve a very wide audience. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 22.