A Hidden Life: A superb, heartbreaking drama from Terrence Malick
In 2019 Terrence Malick it could very well have won a new Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival A hidden lifeeight years later The tree of Life (2011). That year it was Parasite of Bong Joon-ho who won it. A great film without a doubt. But the director’s proposal The red line (1998) e The new world (2005) was therefore, in our opinion, clearly superior.
As we wrote our reviewwith A hidden life, we found Terrence Malick at his best. The director continues his reflections on religion, belief and faith, with a more conventional approach compared to his previous works (Perfectly, Knight of Cups, From song to song). He even offered a universal and humanist reflection, and managed to overwhelm with his unique way of capturing the moment. The presence of cinematographer Jörg Widmer and composer James Newton Howard also plays an important role in the emotions provoked.
It is therefore a shame that only 220,000 spectators discovered this masterpiece in theaters upon its release. A recovery is therefore necessary for those who missed the opportunity. Because “Terrence Malick touches the sublime” (The Sunday diary) with this “beautiful film” (The Express), “ of overwhelming beauty on faith and doubt » (First).
The tragic story of Franz Jägerstätter
With A hidden lifeTerrence Malick tells the storya martyr of the Second World War. Based on the biography of Erna Putz, the film tells the life of Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)an Austrian farmer who refused to pledge allegiance to Hitler and became a conscientious objector opposing the regime. Separated from his wife Franziska Jägerstätter and their two children, he was imprisoned first in Linz and then in Berlin. During this period he managed to communicate with his wife who attempted to have him released.
But despite the pressure and threats he received from his wife and children in his village, Franz refused to reverse his decision. A hidden life thus shows the submission of the other members of the village and their growing hostilitywhich for some will go in the direction of the Nazi regime.
It is thanks to Franz’s correspondence with Franziska, collected by Erna Putz, and the research of the American pacifist Gordon Zahn, that this story was told, before Terrence Malick transformed it into images. Executed on 9 August 1943 at the age of 36, in a garage at Brandenburg Prison in Berlin, Franz Jägerstätter was later recognized for his courage. So it was in 2007 that he was declared a martyr and beatified by the Catholic Church.
Source: Cine Serie
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