Monika Bleibtreu
- 2007
A young mother of two begins the slow transformation into a Medea-like figure after discovering that her husband is leading a secret life with another family. Marie was bringing her husband his violin when she found out that he was moonlighting as a husband for another family. Devastated by the sight of her beloved husband with another woman and child, the emotionally shattered mother begins a painful descent into psychological despair from which she will never emerge until achieving her grim revenge. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nina Hoss, Devid Striesow, (more)
An embittered, 80-year-old piano teacher working in a women's prison takes on the most challenging student in her enduring career in director Chris Kraus' low-key musical drama. For years, Miss Krueger (Monica Bleibtreu) has been teaching classical piano to some of the most hardened female prisoners in all of Germany, but upon meeting brooding new inmate Jenny (Hannah Herzsprung), Miss Krueger finally seems to have found the one student she can't break through to -- until she hears Jenny play, that is. A former piano prodigy whose abusive childhood prompted her to neglect her natural gift for music in the name of survival, Jenny is a violent offender whose notorious temper has, as an adult, repeatedly landed her behind bars. Though she does still display considerable talent on the ivory, her decidedly antisocial behavior compelled the troubled prisoner to repeatedly sabotage opportunities to take part in recitals that would, at the very least, provide a momentary respite from her grim day-to-day existence. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monika Bleibtreu, Hannah Herzsprung, (more)
- 2002
A dark and gruesome thriller reminiscent of David Fincher's Seven, this freshman effort from German director Robert Schwentke finds an unmotivated young detective roped into helping a seasoned veteran solve a case in which people are literally skinned for their tattoos and brutally murdered. Schrader (August Diehl) is a lazy, hard-partying cop who barely passed his academy training, only to settle in for an undemanding desk job upon graduation. His bid for the easy life is soon spoiled when Chief Inspector Minks (Christian Redl) blackmails him into working for homicide after catching him in possession of drugs at an illegal nightclub. Soon discovering a group of underground art enthusiasts who covet a series of 12 tattoos detailed by a mysterious and since-deceased Japanese artist, the duo subsequently discovers a heretofore-unknown 13th tattoo by the artist adorning the body of beautiful Maya (Nadeshda Brennicke). As Schrader enters into a dangerous and heated affair with Maya, the case tumbles headlong into a tense climax when the group discovers that their collection is incomplete. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- August Diehl, Christian Redl, (more)
Infused with a mood of apprehension and decay, this film concerns theatrical luminary Bertolt Brecht (played by Josef Bierbichler) and his inner circle on the final day of their summer vacation in 1956. Set entirely in Brecht's summer house in the East German countryside, the guests consist largely of the writer's lovers, past and present. Brecht's wife Hellene Weigel (Monika Bleibtreu) -- Helli for short -- has taken a remarkably charitable view of her husband's philandering. Brecht's current mistress, young actress Kathe Reichel (Jeanette Hain) is one of their guests, along with political dissident Wolfgang Harich (Samuel Fintzi) and his wife, who is having an affair with Brecht with her husband's approval. Also, there is ex-lover and dissolute drunk Ruth Berlau (Margit Rogall); Brecht's editorial assistant, Elisabeth Hauptmann (Elfriede Irrall); and the playwright's teenaged daughter, Barbara. Each guest angles to garner Brecht's attention. Preparing to leave for a rehearsal in Berlin, Helli is visited by a young Stasi officer who informs her that Wolfgang will be arrested and charged with treason. Fearing for her husband's bad heart, she entreats the apparatchik to do the deed after Brecht has left. As arrangements are made behind Brecht's back, a feeling of doom soon pervades the cottage. This film was screened at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josef Bierbichler, Monika Bleibtreu, (more)
- 2000
Director Joseph Vilsmaier's long-awaited biopic of screen legend Marlene Dietrich opens with the star's last public outing, her 1975 appearance at Carnegie Hall. Subsequently backtracking to 1929 Berlin, the film follows Dietrich's rise to fame and international adulation, turning a particularly attentive eye toward her relationship with director Josef von Sternberg (Hans-Werner Meyer) and her years in Hollywood. Screened at the 2000 Cannes Festival, Marlene stars Katja Flint in the title role and takes meticulous care in re-creating pre-WWII Berlin. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Becker, Monika Bleibtreu, (more)
In this complicated police film, a police detective, who still grieves for the child he accidentally shot during a gun fight, finds distraction when a streetwalker approaches him and asks him to help her get out of the dark world in which she is hopelessly mired. Soon the cop finds himself involved with extortion, drugs and a serial killer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Armin Mueller-Stahl, Morgan Fairchild, (more)
- 1987
- R
Detective Jon Bogdan (Peter Maffay) becomes wheelchair-bound when he is injured in a restaurant bombing perpetrated by the notorious Dr. Proper (Michael York). He rolls into action trying to track down the bomber. When he regains the use of his legs, Jon stays in his chair to give his enemies the illusion he is paralyzed. Elliot Gould has a forgettable role in this equally forgettable film-noir styled crime thriller. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Maffay, Tahnee Welch, (more)
- 1984
The unfortunate Traugot (Lou Castel) suddenly finds himself sandwiched between his former lover Freya (director Helke Sander) and his new love Irmtraut (Rebecca Pauly), both women are good friends -- or were. Traugot waffles between the two women and ultimately, seems to want both, why not. Freya vacillates between exasperation, a still-burning love for the waffler, anger against him, and the desire just to leave it all behind. As the story unfolds, she takes action while under the influence of her runaway emotions, and perhaps that is the catalyst that finally shakes up Traugot and forces him to make up his mind about his potentially monogamous future. As in previous films by director Helke Sander, women's issues are subtly raised and handled appropriately, in an engaging and relevant story told with wit and a visually sensitive camera. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helke Sander, Lou Castel, (more)
