This was such a warm and intimate film. I fell in love with this couple the film follows, going about their daily stuff and thinking about where they want to go next and if it's time to have children. They are portrayed beautifully with all the little gestures of love shown between them. Definitely a little gem.
Lists I made that feature this film:
Favourite movies of all time
Favourite movies watched in 2021
Watching this was a great birthday gift. I was feeling alone and a little bit sad with the lockdown still going on and this was such a beautiful and impressive film. It’s been long since I so fully connected with a movie emotionally. I can’t wait to see it again, and I’ll probably write something longer then. For now I am just going to let it all sink in.
Lists I made that feature this film:
Favourite movies of all time
Favourite movies watched in 2021
It was a good idea to watch a mood piece like this tonight. Absolutely loved going with the flow of Hou Hsiao-hsien's elegant camera movements. The three parts all have steady pacing and to me felt very intense, but their tone shifts gradually. Shu Qi and Chang Chen embody lovers that never seem to meet each other under the perfect conditions, yet find some sort of solace while being in each others presence. The soundtrack, very different for each part, perfectly captures the feelings. I now really look forward to the next project of Hou, Shu and Chang.
Watched the US cut. Loved the vibe and the colors. The voice over fits the slow and casual pacing of the movie, giving the feeling of being stuck in time. It's a weird mix of nostalgia and suffocation. It works very well to lure the viewer. The movie traps you just as Vicky seems to be trapped in her abusive relationship. Even if I'd have wanted to I couldn't have escaped the feel the movie oozes. Definitely one that goes on my rewatch list.
Der Hauptmann is no easy watch. Everything from the dark humor to the soundtrack makes this one of the most suffocating movies I have seen. Because of that it leaves a very strong impression and gives a lot of food for thought. And I guess that is something all of the moviegoers felt up to a certain level, because nobody said a word after the end credits had rolled (those end credits are great BTW).
Der Hauptmann is about power…
