Afire

A seaside vacation takes an unexpected turn in the blazing new comedy/drama from acclaimed filmmaker Christian Petzold (Transit; Phoenix).  While vacationing by the Baltic Sea, writer Leon (Thomas Schubert) and photographer Felix (Langston Uibel) are surprised by the presence of Nadja (Paula Beer), a mysterious young woman staying as a guest at Felix’s family’s holiday home. Nadja distracts Leon from finishing his latest novel and with brutal honesty, forces him to confront his caustic temperament and self-absorption. As Nadja and Leon grow closer, an encroaching forest fire threatens the group and tensions escalate when a handsome lifeguard and Leon’s tight-lipped book editor also arrive. Winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival.  (Dir. by Christian Petzold, 2023, Germany, in German with English subtitles, 103 mins., Not Rated)