Movie Review of Anonyma - Eine Frau in Berlin

Gerald Wright's Movie Coverage

"A WOMAN IN BERLIN"
(Anonyma - Eine Frau in Berlin)

Directed by: Max Farberbock
Running time: 131 minutes
Release date: July 17, 2009
Genre: Art/Foreign, Drama, War and Adaptation
Distributor: Strand Releasing
MPAA Rating: R

This film is a biopic based on a real diary from a real German woman journalist who tried to survive the invasion by the Soviet Red Army in Berlin during the last weeks of World War II. The controversial diary was first published in an English translation in 1954 and six years later in its original German language. The diary has been linked to the anonymous author/journalist Marta Hillers (she died June 2001 at the age of 90).

In this film adaptation, director/writer Max Farberbock has attempted to adhere to the diary and use real life testimonies from surviving women of rape and brutalities by the Red Army of Russia during the fall of Berlin. This emerging narrative brilliantly describes the breakdown in Berlin society starting on Hitler's birthday (April 20, 1945) and finding some stability in June 1945. The Red Army's violence against the local German population during the occupation exposed animalistic and remorseless attacks on civilians.

Nina Hoss gives a captivating performance as Anonyma, a woman who lived a good life as a German journalist and author of the diary. She is married to a German soldier Gerd (August Diehl) and has visited many countries in Europe including Russia. Her memoirs recounts the bombings, the scavenging for foods, the rendering of fear and terror, and the overwhelming accounts of rape of women of all ages. In her case, she relies on her wits and knowledge of the Russian language to find a Red Army Officer named Andre (Evgeny Sidikhin) to protect her from the "wolf-pack" that previously raped her. She uses this man as her lover rather than her rapist, in order to gain powers over him for her basic survival. This is a complex relationship; however, the underlining factor is that they are basically enemies. This part of the film really works for me. The setting and atmosphere was quite successful. The character development of these two actors come together very well as this stimulating plot moves with crisp pacing. Their credible presence on screen is a mixture of evocative and mystifying.

The supporting cast members are mainly the surviving women which include a widow (Irm Herman), who is always there to lend a helping hand; two attractive sister Barbel and Greta (Jordis Triebel and Rosalie Thomas); an elderly bookseller (Katharina Blaschke); the owner of a liquor factory (Maria Hartmann), whose husband has left her for a younger woman; the lesbian lovers Steffi (Sandra Hueller) and Lisbeth (Isabell Gerschke); a resolute 80 year old (Erni Mangold); and a young desperate refugee girl (Anne Kanis). The realistic performances of these women authenticate an era in history that will not be forgotten.

I did not confuse or associate this film with The Diary of Anne Frank, which is a harrowing story of a holocaust victim. A Woman In Berlin, is also a harrowing story that shows depraved indifference to people. However, governments, politicians and soldiers fight the wars, not civilians. War has its collateral damage; however, atrocities against civilians are unforgivable.

Most war films or movies associated war will exploit spectacular visual effects. This is not so in this movie. A Woman in Berlin has a limited focus on the bombings and yet it does give a detailed and thrilling effect for the audience to absorb. I found the mood of suspense to be very impressive.

This is a thought provoking film that won't disappoint.

FILM RATING (A)