Unlike many female filmmakers, Helma Sanders-Brahms is a name you've probably never heard of. Trust me she is truly a unique one as her nature is distinct, instinctive with a socio-biographical background. This is my favourite work from her filmography, matter of fact it is a tough gambit to source english subtitles for her films. I still have couple of films which is pending in my watchlist but "Heinrich" tops it for me. I am always was very touched by the ending monologue. I bet that the lasting bittersweet impression still remains the same like the first watch. It is a biography but the treatment by Helma is immersive and very close to the reality.
I decided to watch it today cuz Mumbai weather warranted a melancholic mood piece. I finished my Cultes Des Ghoules, Odelegger, Belenos marathon and played this film. It is weird weather coz Mumbai is't used to this at all.
Circling back to this film, This story is a biography of German author Heinrich von Kleist , a man whose life had serious ups and downs, moving only in troubled waters personally and mentally. Helma manages to document Heinrich's personal life using his letters as a medium through which the narrative of secondary character emerges. It opens with a note that the film is based on the documents, letters, writings of Heinrich von Kleist and it is accompanied by a poignant score. The film paints a portrait filled with bleak atmosphere as we follow Heinrich whose life is ambiguous and fighing with his personal demons, sexuality and longing. It is really not easy as the events unfold especially in the climax. Helma choses not to show the double suicide but opts for sound of the guns followed by Heinrich's closing notes.
Heinrich's life story is available online, there is not much of information dump here so just be prepared to immerse in anticipation of the finale. It is feel like a boring film since it doesn't follow the traditional biography approach. But i guarantee for those who wait, this boring colour-toned film suddenly become bittersweet.
This ending quote is so beautiful, I wanted to share it here.
"..and now farewell, may the heaven grant you a serene and fresh morning, a shower of rain during the heat of noon and a quiet cool star-filled evening under which one can fall asleep softly and easily." - Heinrich von Kleist.
