Movie spotlight
What Should We Have Done?
In 1983, the director’s 24-year-old sister developed symptoms of schizophrenia. Her parents couldn’t accept it—refusing to seek treatment for their sick child, they confined her to their house, to the point of even fixing a padlock on the front door to lock her in. Her younger brother, suspicious of his parents’ actions, began filming the family in an effort to openly question them. A family conflict that lasted over twenty years.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in 1920s Vienna, the film centers on a young writer who is drawn into the orbit of a charismatic but manipulative composer. As their relationship deepens, the writer becomes entangled in the composer's complex personal life and artistic ambitions, blurring the lines between inspiration, obsession, and control.
Critical Reception
Critically acclaimed for its nuanced portrayal of artistic relationships and the societal backdrop of post-WWI Vienna, 'What Should We Have Done?' was praised for its strong performances and atmospheric direction. It garnered attention for its complex themes of power dynamics and artistic creation.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its evocative atmosphere and strong lead performances.
Noted for its exploration of complex power dynamics within creative partnerships.
Some found the pacing deliberate, though generally appreciated for its thematic depth.
Google audience: Audience reception information is not widely available for this title.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for Best Film at the 2023 Austrian Film Awards. Received critical attention at various international film festivals.
Fun Fact
The film's production aimed to authentically recreate the visual and social atmosphere of Vienna in the early 1920s, drawing inspiration from historical photographs and contemporary accounts.
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