“Effectively balances its more lighthearted moments with an emotional gravitas”

When Afire begins, it finds good friends Leon (Thomas Schubert) and Felix (Langston Uibel) arriving at a remote cabin near the Baltic Sea, which is owned by Felix’s father. Rather than it being a vacation, the two have decided to spend several days away from society to work on their individual creative projects—Felix’s photography portfolio, which is themed around the sea, and Leon’s novel, which he has dedicated himself to writing but admittedly doesn’t think highly of. While their respective artistic pursuits play an important role within the narrative, German director Christian Petzold’s latest film is interested in using them as a vehicle to explore deeper, more existential themes. In particular, it looks at the importance of being truly aware of the world rather than a passive observer, suggesting that this is where the most meaningful art comes from.

In one of the film’s early scenes, Felix criticises Leon’s use of the word “work” when talking about writing, and Leon’s defensive response to his comment will surely resonate with viewers who are also in the profession. Adamant that writing is still work, Leon is frustrated that Felix considers his particular form of creative expression as being less of a challenge than his ambitious photography project. However, while Leon is correct in principle when it comes to this idea, there is an evident difference between the quality of the two friends’ works. While Felix’s photographs are presented as a thoughtful triptych, with clear intent behind each artistic choice, Leon’s manuscript—which is given the bizarre title of “Club Sandwich”—is shown to be meaningless drivel. It feels as though he wanted to write a novel without having anything of actual importance to say, an issue which stems from his lack of connection to the world around him.

The most interesting character in Afire is arguably Nadja (Paula Beer), a young woman who also happens to be staying on the same property as the two friends. While she is initially seen as a potential love interest for lifeguard Devid (Enno Trebs), it is revealed later on that there is far more to Nadja than first meets the eye. She is capable of holding her own when it comes to intellectual conversations and also forces Leon to think about his self-centred approach to life— a personality trait that alienates him from others. Since Leon isn’t the most attentive conversation partner, people often hold their own conversations while he is present rather than talking directly to him, and his ignorance when it comes to what is actually happening is demonstrated on several occasions. Not only does he fail to perceive the true nature of the relationship developing between Felix and Devid, which he discovers in a humorous way, he blatantly dismisses the very real threat posed by the forest fire that looms in a nearby village.

The last act of the film is a dramatic tonal shift, taking on a far more sombre nature after the tragic accident that occurs. It is sobering for the audience and characters alike to accept what has happened, as the aftermath has a significant impact. However, this emotional turning point is what takes Afire from being an enjoyable slice-of-life comedic drama to something more profound. With advice from his publisher Helmut (Matthias Brandt) in mind, Leon begins writing something new, drawing inspiration from trauma as a way of coping with his grief. The scenes between Schubert and Brandt here are genuinely touching, and it would be hard not to feel moved by them. Afire effectively balances its more lighthearted moments with an emotional gravitas, as it leaves audiences considering whether they are as present as they could be in their own lives— and if not, how to do something about it before it becomes too late.

Director: Christian Petzold

Producers: Florian Koerner von Gustorf, Anton Kaiser, Michael Weber

Cast: Thomas Schubert, Langston Uiebel, Paula Beer, Enno Trebs, Matthias Brandt

Release Date: 20 April 2023