‘Visitation’ Review: Volker Schlöndorff’s Tale of Two Summer Houses Is an Intelligent, Elegantly Crafted Chronicle of German History
Volker Schlöndorff's 'Visitation,' adapted from Jenny Erpenbeck’s novel, uses two lakeside houses near Berlin to explore a century of German history through intimate personal stories. The film connects political upheavals, from the Third Reich to the GDR, with the lives of those who inhabit or visit the properties. With elegant craftsmanship and a strong ensemble cast, Schlöndorff delivers a subtle, human-centered historical narrative.
- ▪'Visitation' is based on Jenny Erpenbeck’s novel Heimsuchung and directed by Volker Schlöndorff, known for 'The Tin Drum.'
- ▪The story unfolds primarily on two adjoining plots near Berlin, using the homes as a microcosm of German historical change.
- ▪Much of the film was shot at Albert Einstein’s actual summer home in Caputh, adding symbolic depth to the narrative.
- ▪The film features a notable cast including Martina Gedeck, Lars Eidinger, and Ulrich Matthes, portraying characters affected by Nazi and Communist regimes.
- ▪Generic character names like 'The Architect' emphasize archetypal roles within Germany’s shifting sociopolitical landscape.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
'Visitation' Cannes Film Festival Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Adapted from Jenny Erpenbeck’s acclaimed novel Heimsuchung and directed by legendary auteur Volker Schlöndorff (The Tin Drum), Visitation encapsulates a hundred years of German history by focusing on events unfolding in just two buildings on adjoining plots of lakeside land near Berlin.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hollywood Reporter.
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