Gripsholm (2002)

Synopsis: Kurt Tucholsky was a German Jewish writer who boldly criticized the Nazis during their rise to power. He also wrote racy songs that were performed in cabarets. Tucholsky was eventually accused of... Kurt Tucholsky was a German Jewish writer who boldly criticized the Nazis during their rise to power. He also wrote racy songs that were performed in cabarets. Tucholsky was eventually accused of treason and forced to flee his homeland for Switzerland. GRIPSHOLM, directed by Xavier Koller (JOURNEY OF HOPE), cunningly combines plot elements from Tucholsky's semi-autobiographical novel, CASTLE GRIPSHOLM, with events from the author's real life. Kurt (Ulrich Noethen) and his girlfriend, Lydia (Heike Makatsch), leave Berlin in 1932 for a summer idyll at a friend's castle in the Swiss Alps. They are joined by Kurt's friend, Karl (Marcus Thomas), whose blind patriotism will soon cause a rift in their friendship, and Lydia's friend, Billie (Jasmin Tabatabai), a vivacious cabaret singer whose growing fame calls her back to Berlin. The couple is also drawn into the predicament of a little girl (Sara Foettinger) who is being mistreated by the strict matron at a nearby boarding school. Koller, screenwriter Stefan Kolditz, and cinematographer Pio Corradi successfully create an atmosphere of growing dread in a beautifully serene location. The cast does admirable work. GRIPSHOLM is a subtle film that increases its hold on the viewer as the powerful story takes hold. [More]

Starring: Ulrich Noethen, Marcus Thomas, Heike Makatsch, Jasmin Tabatabai

Starring: Ulrich Noethen, Marcus Thomas, Heike Makatsch, Jasmin Tabatabai, Sara Fottinger, Leif Liljeroth, Inger Nilsson

Director: Xavier Koller

Director: Xavier Koller
Composer: Michael Heitzler, David Klein, Olivier Truan, Kol Simcha

[See More Credits]