Die Wand

“Lynx was very cheerful, in very high spirits, but an outsider probably wouldn’t have noted the difference. After all he was almost cheerful all the time. I never saw him stay sulky for more than 3 minutes. He simply couldn’t resist the urge to be happy. And life in the forest was a constant temptation to him. Sun. Snow. Wind. Rain. Everything was an occasion for joy. With Lynx nearby I could never stay sad for long. It was almost humbling that being with me made him so happy. Perhaps man’s illusion of grandeur come from dogs. Sometimes even I felt that I must be very special., if Lynx was merely topping over with excitement just to see me. Of course, there wasn’t anything special about me. Like all dogs, they are simply addicted to people.”

This Austrian drama-fantasy film based on the novel by Marlen Haushofer and adapted into screenplay and directed by  Julian Polsler was nothing short of cinematic genius. ‘Die Wand’ which means’ The Wall’ was beautifully shot and beautifully written, with magnificent moments allowing the audience to digest slowly each emotion, each word and each step along this woman’s journey to adaptation; ultimately allowing nature to cradle her into the unknown.

This film made only $38 thousand USD at the box-office but garnered 3 wins and 11 nominations, one of which includes Best Foreign Language Film nomination for the 2014 Oscars. The entire film was voice narrated and there was no dialogue throughout. Even though it was slow-paced due to it’s contemplative nature, the cinematographic scenes and strength in the story; this really pivoted the film forward. There is no clear sense of what this ‘wall’ truly is, but may be symbolistic for a varied amount of things like learning ‘contentment’, ‘acceptance’, ‘bonding with nature/learning from nature’, and ‘simplicity of life/lessons from animals’. German actress Martina Gedeck held her own expressing a sense of longing, lost, yearning and dreadful gloom. A place we all can relate visiting at certain times of our lives.