LUISE

Alsace, France late Summer 1918.  While the World War rages elsewhere, Luise (Luise Aschenbrenner) is having to work her remote farm alone following the recent death of her mother. Then the mysterious Elsa (Christa Theret) appears and offers to help in return for food and lodging. The arrangement works well, until another stranger – a German deserter called Hermann (Leonard Kunz) arrives.  Initially the three work well together, but as they get closer, secrets from their respective pasts are revealed to shocking effect.  

This impressively performed drama unfolds largely in the confines of an isolated cottage, where the claustrophobic atmosphere heightens the growing attraction between the two women, provoking jealousy and piousness from the young soldier. A loose adaptation of DH Lawrence’s novella The Fox, with the multilingual region being a fitting place to explore his themes of sexuality and gender roles.