Afire is a new film written and directed by Christian Petzold that centers around a young writer who is so consumed by his own insecurities and desires, that he is missing out on the life happening around him. Leon (Thomas Schubert) goes with his friend, Felix (Langston Uibel), to Felix’s family’s holiday home for a work vacation only to find out another person is already staying in a room there. Nadja (Paula Beer) is initially observed from a distance – especially by Leon – who keeps insisting he has to work on his book and encourages Felix to complete his art school portfolio. All the while, there is an ever-encroaching forest fire just a town away.
Leon is the type of protagonist that audiences will have difficulty supporting. He is kind of a dick. The quintessential scene where his arrogance really shows is the first full group dinner with Felix, Nadja, and their new lifeguard friend, Devid (Enno Trebs). It becomes clear that Leon looks down on Devid’s profession, and his condescending line of questioning becomes so unbearable that Felix exclaims what the audience is likely feeling. Before this moment, Leon’s behavior has not been much better. His ego had been mostly passive-aggressive until this moment when his full viciousness comes out. However, it becomes apparent over the course of the story that this hostility comes from insecurity and maybe even an imposter complex. Schubert’s performance makes it easy to not like Leon, but not so much that you can’t feel for him and maybe see yourself in his behavior. Hopefully not all the time, but definitely in certain situations.
Uibel brings the most joy in the film. His portrayal of Felix is exuberant, and it is hard not to get sucked up into his love of life. Felix is a great foil to Leon, whose friendship seems unlikely in almost every way. Their history is never explored, but that absence of exposition makes their relationship on screen all the more confounding. You keep wanting Felix to ask why Leon even came on this vacation. Beer is the true enigma, as she is the puzzle-box that Leon is fixated with. He keeps thinking he has a read on her, but he only knows her as the picture he has painted in his own mind. His shock at every revelation about her is simply because he assumed something to be the case, without ever asking the question. Leon walks around in a world making assumptions based on his own distant observations, often choosing to look over obvious details. The writing and craftsmanship of the film really pay off, and every character and their small little house feel so lived in and fully realized.
Petzold has written a relatable story with frustrating characters who you can’t help but be intrigued by. While you may not love Leon, you will definitely understand him and the point the story is making. There is a sequence with his editor, Helmut (Matthias Brandt), where they are going over his recent manuscript that really sets up how the last act will play out. It really sticks the landing as a result. Afire is a quiet, contemplative master class of character-driven storytelling.
Afire is in theaters on July 14.
Rating: Must See
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