Abschied

Siodmak, known for his groundbreaking film Menschen am Sonntag (People on Sunday, 1929), had to leave Germany in 1933 because of his Jewish heritage. His escape took him and his brother Curt first to France and finally to the US, which was then a safe haven for people threatened with persecution. Today, in light of current debates about refugees, asylum, and especially in view of the mass deportations under Donald Trump, this background seems frighteningly relevant. The former “safe haven” of the US, which saved the Siodmaks' lives, now appears increasingly threatened. In 1930, Robert Siodmak made his first sound film, ABSCHIED (Farewell), shot at the Babelsberg Studios. The focus is not on opulent settings, but on vulnerable, authentic characters, captured by Eugen Schüfftans precise and courageous camera work. Even then, contemporary critics recognized Siodmak's potential: “What already predestines him for great filmmaking is his uninhibited approach, his courage to move forward, to overcome imperfections and momentary insolubility.” (Film-Kurier 1930) ABSCHIED centers on the story of Peter Winkler, whose new job in another city threatens his relationship with his fiancée Hella. Secrets, mistrust, and gossip lead to a series of tragic misunderstandings. Restored in 2014, the film continues to resonate today—not least because of its subtle, haunting final note.