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9 months ago
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Filmmaker Andreas Dresen and actress Liv Lisa Fries took part morning in the press conference for new drama From Hilde, With Love, which debuts this weekend in Competition at the Berlin Film Festival.
Dresen’s affecting and resonant film, set in Berlin during the Second World War, charts the little known story of Hilde and Hans Coppi, a young couple who courageously become members of an anti-Nazi group known as The Red Orchestra (Die Rote Kapelle). The two spend a summer together until they get caught by the Gestapo and Hilde is imprisoned, eight months pregnant.
Dresen’s film received a warm response from journalists this morning at the press conference, with many noting they had been moved to tears by the feature.
The German director told the media he was initially attracted by the “humanity” of the story and the character of Hilde Coppi, who he described as “such a decent and brave woman.”
Screenwriter Laila Stieler added: “She is such a sensitive person, perhaps too sensitive at times. She carried out these heroic deeds but they became naturally to her because of her decency.”
The duo noted that the project was initially envisaged as a TV series about the Red Orchestra resistance movement, many of whom were women.
Dresen later acknowledged that he wanted to avoid cliches from movies about the Nazi period, something which contributed to the pared back nature of the film.
Given the film’s subject, Dresen was inevitably asked about the recent furore over the festival’s initial opening ceremony invitation to Germany’s far-right AfD party, an invitation that was subsequently rescinded after industry outcry. The withdrawal itself has been criticized by others who say it raises questions over free speech and the democratic obligations of a state-backed festival.
Dresen made it clear he wasn’t a supporter of the AfD but added: “The debate is getting tiresome. The Berlinale has always been a political festival but we don’t want to turn it into a festival about politics, it’s a festival about films. The people leading the festival [festival directors Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek], who had to make those decisions, it must have been hell for them, and a lot of pressure. Ultimately, I want everyone to watch our movie, from all parties, they might learn some things”.
Babylon Berlin star Lisa Fries added: “I can only say that to all people confronted with violence, I am with them. I’m against all forms of ostracism. I can clearly speak up against the AfD, which I’m happy to do, but I’m also an artist, an actress. I’m incredibly proud to have made this film.”
She later said she would like to see more nuance in the debate over the AfD’s attendance at the festival and that “we don’t need to bash each other”.
Pandora Film produces the movie with Beta Cinema handling sales. You can check out our exclusive interview with Liv Lisa Fries, which includes first footage of the movie, here.
