A HIDDEN LIFE Cast Q&A | TIFF 2019

A searing exploration of the consequences of upholding one's convictions in a time of terrifying upheaval, this latest work from Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life) mines the themes of spirituality and engagement with the natural world that have permeated so much of the American auteur's late-period renaissance. Set in Austria during the rise of the Third Reich, A Hidden Life relays a little-known true story of quiet heroism.

A hardworking farmer, pious Christian, and devoted husband and father, Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl) is a respected member of his alpine village, St. Radegund. Franz's Edenic existence begins to wither, however, as war breaks out across Europe, Nazi ideology spreads, and both the church and St. Radegund's mayor start spouting antisemitic dogma. Franz undergoes military training but refuses to swear allegiance to Hitler. When called up for conscription, he becomes a conscientious objector — a decision that will test the limits of his beliefs.

Echoing forebears from Dreyer to Tarkovsky, Malick builds upon his formal particularities — the ever-roaming, low-lying, wide-angle camera; the unnervingly intimate voices — as a means to apprehend a soul-searching tenor rare to cinema of any age or provenance, while the resonance of his existential queries rests firmly in the hands of his cast. Among the luminaries inhabiting memorable roles in A Hidden Life are the late maestros Michael Nyqvist and Bruno Ganz, both giving what would prove to be one of their final performances. But it is Diehl who ushers us through this journey of despair and devotion, convincing us that Franz is guided by a moral vision that no earthly evil can corrupt.

[jonruffolo]

“We never approached the questions from an intellectual standpoint, it was always from more of a grounded feeling.” This is exactly why Malick’s art is so profoundly moving to me.

[ChicagoBeaver]

I just saw it today and was totally blown away. I already gave it an in depth review on IMDB, so I wont go into detail here. Please watch this movie, preferably in a theatre, the wide mountain scenes will not really work in a small screen. This actress Valerie Pachner is my newest #1 actress. I want to see all of her movies. Best movie of the year in my opinion.

[danielabasso]

It is so powerful and moving, the film as well as the actors' performance... I'm still astonished. Amazing job.

[cherylhendriks]

Fantastic acting and a film that deserves multiple viewings.

[ekaterini]

This movie is the finest moment for Mr. Malick and for all of the actors involved. There is nothing greater than giving even a glimpse of God taking up residence in our hearts.

[-cloudsaboveuscrying-]

Bravo!! What a beautiful movie, beautiful in every way...

[allisonw]

This film is fantastic, and deserved all of the wins.

[camusmonamour]

merveilleuse résistance contre la barbarie incarnée par ce film magnifique et ces deux acteurs resplendissants. Un film qui transporte l'humanité vers ce qui la fait vibrer: le vrai et le beau.

[shaymary]

Around 7:00, where Diehl explains the producer & scene part, via toilet... Sounds like the producer's genius! 😋👍

[spanixtanspanixtan]

I´ve just finished subtitling the movie into English and Spanish; adding detailed versions for

Hearing.impaired people.




 It´s really amazing that neither the official version nor the subtitles uploaded so far stick to  English,

leaving aside any word in German.
The movie becomes riddled with non-understandable parts and emptied of important contents.

 Not to mention for hearing-impaired people...

[trouper]

0:26 Yikes, someone didn’t get the message

[OneBigSoul]

"Terrence Malick is back" ? What uniformed for a programmer.. He has always been "here".

[fastfoodi]

August is a dead ringer for a young Rutger Hauer

[trouper]

One of my favourite movies. Reminds me of Jesus and the crucifixion. A man who hasn’t done anything wrong, put to death because of his beliefs. And now, in 2020- it’s “get vaxxed or starve to death”. When are humans gunna learn?