Written by Lillian Donohue, Photo Courtesy of IMDB
“A Hidden Life” recreates the true story of an Austrian family through letters between a husband and wife. Franz [August Diehl] and his wife, Franziska [Valerie Pachner], are poor farmers who do not believe in the war, but when Franz faces imprisonment and execution, his faith does not waiver. The sequence of the movie follows each of their lives narrated by letters they write to each other.
Director Terrence Malick has instilled deep emotion in each character, especially in Franziska. During the post-screening Q&A, she references the “week of grief” where Malick continued to shoot tragic takes without warning. This type of method acting produced highly realistic work.
Many scenes are of Franziska and her sister milking cows, planting potatoes and many other typical duties of farmers. “We felt like farmers, not actors,” said Pachner. They even filmed in the Jagerstatter’s real home and got to meet the real family, the three daughters still alive. They watched the film together in Rosie’s living room, and Pachner translated from English to German while the women watched their parents’ lives unfold. During the Q&A she gushed about her connection to Rosie and the village in Austria.
Malick’s cinematography is stunning, with the wide-angle shots creating a sense of space that gives a strange presence to the characters. It switches back to life on the farm, where the vast, rolling hills and mountains contrast with Franz’s prison cell. You can really insert yourself into the movie. The dialogue is limited and most of it is in German. However, the letters are read in English and it narrates the story beautifully.
This powerful film will leave you feeling humbled and teary-eyed. “A Hidden Life” reflects on a common life turned upside-down, and like many others who experienced World War II, their story went untold. Throughout the film, you will gain a new perspective on the simple life of an unsung hero.
