It seems that WWII has produced an almost unlimited number of stories. Even over sixty years later there continue to be major productions coming out, e.g. "Inglorious Basterds," "Valkyrie," "Letters from Iwo Jima," and "Flags of Our Fathers." Now, "A Woman from Berlin" can be added to the list.
This is a story based on the diary of a woman living in Berlin at the time of its downfall in late April and early May of 1945 when the Red Army moved in for the final assault. In the West we tend to think that the UK and the US won the war, but this movie makes you consider that perhaps the Soviet Union played the more decisive role.
I found the story told here very believable. It provokes some complex reactions. The Red Army is presented as not being overly gentlemanly in victory. But, after losing over 25 million dead in the war, it is hard to blame the Soviets for being a little more than peeved and participating in the spoils of war. Unfortunately, as depicted here, much of their revenge is taken out on German women.
The central character, who is called "Anonyma," decides that it would be in her best survival interests if she were to attach herself to the highest ranking army officer she could find. This turns out to be Major Rybkin who is seen to be a decent sort of man. The evolving relationship between Rybkin and Anonyma, and its consequences, forms the core of the story.
At first one is tempted to feel sorry for the Germans, but then you think of the horrors the Germans perpetrated, particularly on the Soviets, and you feel guilty for your compassion. The fact that Anonyma is presented at the beginning of the movie as being an intelligent journalist who is toasting the German conquests complicates your feelings for her. In the end I was just left with an overwhelming sense of the tragedy this war spawned. So many dead, so many lives changed forever.
The production values are high--this was no minor undertaking. I was impressed with Nina Hoss who plays Anonyma, and Evgeniy Sidikhin as Major Rybkin is good as well. In fact the entire cast is excellent.
The movie prompted me to do some reading on the Battle of Berlin (even in some printed books!). A lot of the written descriptions are fairly dry, which makes you appreciate a film like this that provides a backdrop for trying to understand what happened. I think that any movie that compels you to do a little research can't be bad.
This is a story based on the diary of a woman living in Berlin at the time of its downfall in late April and early May of 1945 when the Red Army moved in for the final assault. In the West we tend to think that the UK and the US won the war, but this movie makes you consider that perhaps the Soviet Union played the more decisive role.
I found the story told here very believable. It provokes some complex reactions. The Red Army is presented as not being overly gentlemanly in victory. But, after losing over 25 million dead in the war, it is hard to blame the Soviets for being a little more than peeved and participating in the spoils of war. Unfortunately, as depicted here, much of their revenge is taken out on German women.
The central character, who is called "Anonyma," decides that it would be in her best survival interests if she were to attach herself to the highest ranking army officer she could find. This turns out to be Major Rybkin who is seen to be a decent sort of man. The evolving relationship between Rybkin and Anonyma, and its consequences, forms the core of the story.
At first one is tempted to feel sorry for the Germans, but then you think of the horrors the Germans perpetrated, particularly on the Soviets, and you feel guilty for your compassion. The fact that Anonyma is presented at the beginning of the movie as being an intelligent journalist who is toasting the German conquests complicates your feelings for her. In the end I was just left with an overwhelming sense of the tragedy this war spawned. So many dead, so many lives changed forever.
The production values are high--this was no minor undertaking. I was impressed with Nina Hoss who plays Anonyma, and Evgeniy Sidikhin as Major Rybkin is good as well. In fact the entire cast is excellent.
The movie prompted me to do some reading on the Battle of Berlin (even in some printed books!). A lot of the written descriptions are fairly dry, which makes you appreciate a film like this that provides a backdrop for trying to understand what happened. I think that any movie that compels you to do a little research can't be bad.