Closed Season [Ende der Schonzeit]

Closed Season [Ende der Schonzeit] is a compelling 2012 German film with an enigmatic narrative that strikes with its emotional nuance and complex human relationships. The movie is directed by Franziska Schlotterer and features a fascinating cast of Brigitte Hobmeier, Hans-Jochen Wagner, and Christian Friedel.

Set against the unfolding horror of World War II, this historical drama unravels in the secluded tranquility of the Black Forest. The narrative braids together the lives of three central characters: Fritz, a stern farmer (played by Hans-Jochen Wagner); Emma, his passionate and charismatic wife (Brigitte Hobmeier); and Albert (Christian Friedel), a young Jewish man fleeing from the terror of concentration camps in Berlin.

Reluctantly given refuge by Fritz at his remote and self-sustaining farm, Albert not only disrupts the couple's melancholic existence but also becomes entwined in a deep-seated emotional triangle. The narrative follows the transformation of their relationship and the stark realities of the time, meticulously exploring the trials of survival, humanity, and unconventionality.

Fritz and Emma's grim married life is accurately depicted through their emotional distance and lack of communication. Fritz's fertility issues and Emma's desperate longing for a child add another layer of tension to their strained relationship.

Amidst these melancholic circumstances, Albert enters their lives as a beacon of hope. Fritz, in desperate need to secure an heir, strikes a bizarre deal with Albert. This arrangement between the men, made without Emma's knowledge, introduces a new dynamic to the trio's relationships, adding a further layer of intensity to the plot.

As the narrative progresses, Albert forms a unique bond with Emma, offering her vibrant glimpses of the world outside the constrictions of farm life. These profound interactions fuel the narrative, which intricately weaves in themes of love, sacrifice, and survival against the backdrop of the encroaching chaos of war.

The backdrop of World War II and the lesser-exposed location of the Black Forest provide a distinctive context for the narrative. The looming presence of war indirectly influences the characters' lives, shaping their choices and consequences—the resounding fear of discovery, the rigid societal rules, and the pressing need for survival. Although geographically isolated, the provision of refuge to Albert binds the destinies of the characters with the broader social and political developments of the time.

Brigitte Hobmeier as Emma delivers a remarkable performance, synthesizing vulnerability and resilience within her character. Hans-Jochen Wagner captures the bitter intensity, desperation, and internal turmoil of Fritz with finesse. At the same time, Christian Friedel portrays Albert's character from his initial hesitation to his gradual connection with Emma exceptionally well, successfully conveying the urgency, fear, and desperation of a man on the run.

The director Franziska Schlotterer masterfully uses the remote and tranquil setting of the Black Forest to lay bare complex human emotions and relationships. She harnesses the bare simplicity of farm life and effortlessly combines it with the tumultuous political ambiance of the 1940s, resulting in a stark, raw, and emotionally intense cinema. The cinematography brilliantly articulates the narrative's nuances, encapsulating the natural beauty of the farmhouse setting and the ever-present undertones of despair and fear.

In its essence, Closed Season (Ende der Schonzeit) offers a gripping portrayal of hidden emotions, urgent survival, and the turmoil of human interaction. The movie is a delicate blend of history, drama, and romance that presents an emotionally packed narrative, allowing viewers a glimpse into a marginalized narrative of wartime Germany. The characters' multidimensional and evolving relationships, the nuanced performances, together with the achter backdrop, make Closed Season a must-watch for enthusiast of World War II drama and historical romance.