Transit (2018)
Paula Beer (Frantz) leads the latest from filmmaker Christian Petzold (Phoenix), a World War II tale courageously set in contemporary Marseille, France.
“German refugee Georg (Franz Rogowski, Victoria) flees Paris carrying with him the documents of a famous author, Weidel, who has taken his own life rather than face his persecutors. Most vital of the documents is a visa assurance from the Mexican embassy which allows the holder safe passage away from war-addled Europe. In Marseille, Georg assumes Weidel’s identity, intending to keep up the ruse until he can escape to Mexico. While awaiting the necessary paperwork, Georg comes upon and soon falls in love with the mysterious Marie (Beer). She is also waiting in Marseille and looking for her husband, who is said to have arrived in the city with a visa for her: he is the writer, Weidel.” (Sydney Film Festival)
- Director:
- Christian Petzold ('Phoenix', 'Barbara')
- Writer:
- Christian Petzold
- Cast:
- Paula BeerFranz RogowskiLilien BatmanGodehard GieseMaryam ZareeBarbara AuerMatthias BrandtSebastian Hülk
Reviews & comments
Agonising and requiring a bit of work from the viewer's point of view. The essence of this Christian Petzold film is captured in a quote mid-way through the film which describes a man waiting for his predicament after death, only to realise where he has wound up. As good as, if not even better than Phoenix (2014).
Variety
pressA refugee portrait that piles contrivance upon contrivance to somehow land at a place of piercing emotional acuity.
The New York Times
pressBy turns intimate and expansive, "Transit" is a thrilling, at times harrowing labyrinth of a movie.
New Zealand Herald
pressEvoking Casablanca, this tragic romance is gorgeous to look at and often thrilling, its central gimmick of telling a historical story in the modern day paying off surprisingly well.
Los Angeles Times
press"Transit" touchingly illuminates the close bonds that can form within migrant communities, even as it refuses to harbour any illusions about how easily those bonds can be broken.
IndieWire
pressLucidly traces the specter of fascism (never extinguished, always waiting to exhale), and how unreal it feels for it to cast its shadow across Europe once more.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAs the film slowly puts its formalistic and thematic cards on the table, it becomes clear that its storytelling technique is really just a reflection of its core themes.
Variety
pressA refugee portrait that piles contrivance upon contrivance to somehow land at a place of piercing emotional acuity.
The New York Times
pressBy turns intimate and expansive, "Transit" is a thrilling, at times harrowing labyrinth of a movie.
New Zealand Herald
pressEvoking Casablanca, this tragic romance is gorgeous to look at and often thrilling, its central gimmick of telling a historical story in the modern day paying off surprisingly well.
Los Angeles Times
press"Transit" touchingly illuminates the close bonds that can form within migrant communities, even as it refuses to harbour any illusions about how easily those bonds can be broken.
IndieWire
pressLucidly traces the specter of fascism (never extinguished, always waiting to exhale), and how unreal it feels for it to cast its shadow across Europe once more.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAs the film slowly puts its formalistic and thematic cards on the table, it becomes clear that its storytelling technique is really just a reflection of its core themes.
Agonising and requiring a bit of work from the viewer's point of view. The essence of this Christian Petzold film is captured in a quote mid-way through the film which describes a man waiting for his predicament after death, only to realise where he has wound up. As good as, if not even better than Phoenix (2014).
Share