MARC ROTHEMUND

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB. 

Original title:  Sophie Scholl – Die Letzten Tage

Germany, 2005.  Broth Film, Goldkind Filmproduktion. Screenplay by Fred Breinersdorfer.  Cinematography by Martin Langer.  Produced by Fred Breinersdorfer, Sven Burgemeister, Christoph Muller, Marc Rothemund.  Music by Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek.  Production Design by Jana Karen.  Costume Design by Natascha Curtius-Noss.  Film Editing by Hans Funck.  

The sad reality of the horrors of the Nazi party are on view as they exact all their terrible power to erase the existence of an idealistic little girl. Sophie Scholl and her brother are members of the White Rose group, a band of politically motivated students in Germany whose objection to their ultra-conservative government gets them into serious trouble when the two of them are arrested while handing leaflets out at their university. Scholl is taken to prison and interrogated for a mere six days before her trial and execution by guillotine in Munich, the whole time refusing to give up on either her beliefs or the fellow members of her group. This is definitely not the most cheerful tale, but don’t let its grave subject matter convince you that it is too depressing to watch: the performances and excellent screenplay make it a scintillating, if very moving, viewing, and the exceptional direction keeps up a terrific pace. Julia Jentsch is marvelous in the title role, unmannered and wholly engrossing.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Foreign Language Film

Berlin Film Festival Awards:  Best Actress (Julia Jentsch); Best Diretor (Marc Rothemund)

European Film Award:  Best European Actress (Julia Jentsch)
Nominations: Best European Film; Best European Production Designer