The cinema is finally back: Some highlights postponed by Corona are waiting, such as "Berlin Alexanderplatz", "Harriet" and "Marie Curie".
He will be back in Germany in July, the first full cinema month since February. The past four months of screen drabness due to the corona pandemic are said to be a thing of the past. Above all, the award-winning drama "Berlin Alexanderplatz" should herald a new era in cinema. The main actors Welket Bungué (32) and Jella Haase (27) receive support from two remarkable (and real) women, Harriet Tubman and Marie Curie, who knew their way around the world too well.
ATTENTION: Due to the corona pandemic, short-term postponements are still possible. Christopher Nolan's (49) upcoming blockbuster "Tenet" was postponed from July 30th to August 12th and thus for the second time. Disney's live action version of "Mulan" also got a new start date in the USA, also in August. No new start date is known for Germany. The announced July dates still apply to the following films.
"Harriet – The Road to Freedom", July 9th
The biopic tells the true story of the slave Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo, "Bad Times at the El Royale"), who not only escaped slavery in the 19th century, but also helped hundreds of slaves to freedom. Her unique courage, her strong willpower and the special ingenuity in the liberation campaigns made her one of the best known personalities in the fight for equality.
Assessment:
Harriet Tubman was one of the most important escape helpers on the famous Underground Railroad, thanks to which countless African-American slaves were able to save themselves from the southern states to the northern states of the USA. Cynthia Erivo as the title heroine was on the nominees list of "Best Leading Actresses" at the past Oscars – so there is no need to worry about a lack of fervor in portraying the freedom fighter.
"Marie Curie – Elements of Life", July 16
Paris, late 19th century: Marie Sklodowska (Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl") has a difficult time in the academic world of men at the University of Sorbonne as a woman and because of her uncompromising personality, the scientist Pierre Curie (Sam Riley) is fascinated of their passion and intelligence and recognizes their potential. He becomes not only Marie's research partner, but also her husband and the love of her life. For her pioneering discoveries, Marie Curie became the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 together with Pierre. His sudden death shakes her deeply, but Marie doesn't give up. She fights for a self-determined life and for her research, the immense effects of which she can only imagine and which will have a decisive impact on the 20th century.
Assessment:
After "Harriet" the second film this month, which takes on the work of a real heroine. Life and not to forget the death of Marie Curie (1867-1934) offer so much material, so it is surprising that Hollywood has not yet taken care of her – apart from the documentary drama "Madame Curie" from 1943 . Be it her role as a woman in a professional field at that time, which was almost exclusively male-dominated, the Nobel Prize awards or her handling of highly dangerous substances in general – "Marie Curie" should not only be interesting for amateur historians. Especially since the outstanding series "Chernobyl" has recently shown once again what horrible effects the wrong handling of radioactive materials can have.
"Berlin Alexanderplatz", July 16
Francis (Welket Bungué) comes to Europe as an African refugee and wants to live a decent life in Berlin. But living conditions as a stateless refugee do not make it easy for him. In the German capital, he meets the dodgy German drug dealer Reinhold (Albrecht Schuch), who wants to use Francis for his purposes. Finally Reinhold reveals Francis. Mieze (Jella Haase) takes Francis in and the two fall in love. But the chapter Reinhold is not yet finished for Francis …
Assessment:
"Berlin Alexanderplatz" celebrated its acclaimed world premiere at this year's Berlinale, but could not win the Golden Bear. For this, the drama at the German Film Prize 2020 received 11 nominations. Finally, there were five awards, including the Lola in silver in the "Best Feature Film" category. In addition, Albrecht Schuch (34, "System Sprenger") was pleased with the award for the best male supporting role. The leading roles also shine with Welket Bungué and Jella Haase ("The Perfect Secret").
Insider tip: "Siberia", July 2nd
Clint (Willem Dafoe) is a man drawn by life. To finally find his inner peace, he retired to a lonely hut in the snowy mountains. There he runs a small café where travelers or locals rarely get lost. But even in seclusion, Clint finds no peace. One fateful evening he sets out on his dog sled, driven by the hope of finding his true self. A journey through his dreams, memories and fantasies begins.
Assessment:
Leading actor Willem Dafoe (64) and director Abel Ferrara (68) entered the race for the Golden Bear at this year's Berlinale with "Siberia". The co-production from Italy, Germany and Mexico is also the eighth collaboration between the two. Those who are familiar with Ferrara works know what they are getting into with their new plant. Dafoe's trip to madness was extremely strange even for the Ferrara standard – an hour and a half long daydream and for some a welcome change from mainstream cinema.