Christian Petzold is no stranger to the Berlin International Film Festival. Three of his last four films debuted at that prestigious event. And he’s about to unveil yet another feature in Berlin, with the world premiere of “Afire.”
As seen in the trailer for “Afire,” the film follows the story of two friends who go on a holiday on the Baltic coast. They’re both hoping that the vacation will help inspire them to work on their respective art, one is an artist and the other a writer. However, when they meet up with two strangers, things get a bit more… intimate. All the while, a forest fire begins to creep ever closer.
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The film stars Thomas Schubert, Paula Beer, Langston Uibel, Enno Trebs, and Matthias Brandt. As mentioned, “Afire” is written and directed by Christian Petzold. The new film is said to be the second in a trilogy from the filmmaker, which began with the 2020 film, “Undine,” which also stars Beer. Petzold is also known for films such as “Barbara,” “Transit,” and “Phoenix.”
“Afire” is set to debut at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. An international release has yet to be revealed.
Here’s the synopsis from the Berlin International Film Festival:
Leon and Felix’s plan was to spend the summer together in a holiday home on the Baltic coast. They wanted to be there as friends but also to work – one on his second book, the other assembling his art portfolio. But Nadja and Devid are also there, and they bring lots of positive vibes with them. Four young people experimenting with love, even though this does not come easy to Leon. His unfinished manuscript haunts him wherever he goes, whether he is at the summerhouse or the beach. The others’ good mood often causes his to plummet. A visit from his publisher is imminent. But, as the latter arrives in his nifty small car, the forest begins to blaze. It rains ash, the sky turns red, and a relationship-drama that merges physical intensity and artistic sublimation takes a turn into a new dimension. This second part of Christian Petzold’s trilogy begun in 2020 with Undine, is about not being able to sleep and wanting to love; about writing and being read; about being in the world and yet possibly allowing life to slip by. A film that is suspended between symbolism and realism, both funny and deeply tragic.