Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s epic German film, spanning the aftermath of WWII into the heart of the Cold War, follows the life journey of Kurt Barnert. Young Kurt (played by Cai Cohrs), develops a bond with his artistic-minded Aunt Elisabeth (Saskia Rosendahl). Her nurturing support for his art takes a tragic turn when her schizophrenia leads her to be evaluated by Professor Carl Seeband (Sebastian Koch), a proponent of the Nazi’s grim euthanasia policies. Her untimely death leaves a lasting imprint on Kurt’s soul.
As Kurt matures into a young man (Tom Schilling), his path of art and love intertwines when he meets Ellie (Paula Beer). Unbeknownst to Kurt at first, Ellie is the offspring of the very man, Seeband, tied to his aunt’s demise. The revelation brings tension, as Kurt’s aspirations in art are met with Seeband’s scorn and scrutiny, putting his relationship with Ellie under strain.
Kurt is haunted by his aunt’s parting words to seek out life’s truths, a quest that challenges his pursuit of a genuine artistic vision. The film is a spectacle of emotive storytelling, featuring Max Richter’s poignant score and Caleb Deschanel’s expressive cinematography, enveloping viewers in the raw authenticity from Schilling’s portrayal of Kurt to the vivid narrative frames. Parallel to Kurt’s fictional odyssey, the narrative draws from truths hidden in the life of acclaimed artist Gerhard Richter.
Let us delve into the most evocative images from Never Look Away.
…[Images continued]…