Light show

One of the greatest figures in cinema, perhaps the greatest director of his era: G.W. Pabst shoots "The Rise to Power" in France; fleeing the horrors of the new Germany, he escapes to Hollywood. But under the dazzling California sun, the world-famous director suddenly appears as a dwarf. Not even Greta Garbo, whom he immortalized, can help him. Thus, Pabst finds himself, almost without his own doing, back in his homeland Austria, now called Ostmark. The barbaric nature of the regime is felt by the returning family with all clarity. However, the propaganda minister in Berlin wants the film genius; he knows no contradiction and promises much. While Pabst still believes he can resist the allure, that he will submit to no dictatorship other than that of art, he has already taken the first step into a hopeless entanglement. Daniel Kehlmann's novel about art and power, beauty and barbarism, is a triumph. "Lichtspiel" shows what literature can achieve: bringing the truth to light through invention. Ulrich Noethen's warm, dark timbre creates an intimate and impressive atmosphere.