Acting
Martina Gedeck's restrained suffering deserves a standing ovation.
Direction
Sanders-Brahms makes domestic claustrophobia feel operatic.
Score
Schumann's actual compositions, weaponized against you.
Director
Helma Sanders-Brahms
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Martina Gedeck spent months learning piano to fake virtuosity convincingly. The hands in close-ups are hers.
Sanders-Brahms was a leading figure of New German Cinema, and this was her final film—she died knowing Clara's erasure was partially corrected.
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