Never Look Away
Never Look Away

Movie spotlight

Never Look Away

2018
Movie
188 min
German

German artist Kurt Barnert has escaped East Germany and now lives in West Germany, but is tormented by his childhood under the Nazis and the GDR regime.

Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Metacritic63/100
Google Users84%
Director: Florian Henckel von DonnersmarckGenres: Drama, Romance, War

Plot Summary

In 1950s East Germany, Kurt Barnitz is a young art student who falls in love with fellow student Ellie. However, their relationship is forbidden by Ellie's father, a former SS doctor who also performed abortions. As the story unfolds, Kurt must grapple with his traumatic past and the artistic and political repression of his homeland.

Critical Reception

Never Look Away received generally positive reviews, with many critics praising its ambitious scope, visual artistry, and the performances of its cast. Some found the film's length and complexity to be challenging, but overall, it was considered a powerful and moving exploration of German history and personal trauma.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stunning cinematography and epic scale.

  • Applauded for its sensitive portrayal of post-war Germany and the impact of historical trauma.

  • Some critics noted its considerable length and intricate narrative as potentially demanding for viewers.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's beautiful visuals and emotional depth, with many finding the story to be a profound and thought-provoking experience. Some viewers felt the pacing was slow at times, but the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding its artistic merit and historical narrative.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography. Also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Fun Fact

The film's narrative is loosely inspired by the life of German artist Gerhard Richter, whose own experiences informed the themes of art, memory, and the impact of historical events.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
SWITCH.

SWITCH.

An amazing return to directorial form, ‘Never Look Away’ is a novelistic, epic film that appears to constantly shapeshift in front of our eyes. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck has created the rare kind of work where politics, history, art ...