In the captivating film 'Visitation,' director Volker Schlöndorff takes us on a journey through German history, using two summer houses as a microcosm to explore the impact of political forces on personal lives. Based on Jenny Erpenbeck's novel 'Heimsuchung,' this film is a thoughtful and elegant portrayal of a century's worth of German history.
The story unfolds near Berlin, where two neighboring plots of land and their respective houses become a canvas for the rise and fall of the Third Reich and the German Democratic Republic. Schlöndorff's masterful direction, coupled with a strong cast, including Martina Gedeck and Lars Eidinger, creates a narrative that is both expansive and intimate.
One of the most intriguing aspects of 'Visitation' is its near-Aristotelian unity of space. Much of the film was shot in and around Albert Einstein's actual summer home in Caputh, a Bauhaus-style structure with a fascinating backstory. The house, built by a Nazi architect, adds an extra layer of complexity to the story, as it was constructed using legal maneuvers that had significant repercussions.
The film skillfully navigates the tragedy of the Jewish cloth manufacturer's family, with Schlöndorff handling the pathos with dignity. The family's struggle, from the grandparents' forced exile to the Holocaust, is portrayed with a subtle yet powerful sentimentality. The use of stamps featuring Hitler's face on letters sent to the grandparents is a poignant reminder of the family's desperate attempts to maintain a connection.
As the story progresses, we witness the architect's rise and fall, his journey to the Eastern Front, and his wife's survival during the Soviet occupation. The film's lack of sentimentality is a deliberate choice, allowing the audience to focus on the harsh realities of war and its aftermath.
In the final act, an acclaimed left-wing writer and her family take possession of the house, and it is through the eyes of their young daughter, Marija, that we see the house's eventual demise. Marija's character, a summer child questioning authority, adds a layer of innocence and curiosity to the narrative. The film's ending, though downbeat, is fitting, reflecting the crumbling of a nation and the end of an era.
'Visitation' is a return to form for Schlöndorff, a refined and intelligent work that showcases his cinematic taste. While it may not be his best film, it is a worthy and serious piece of craftsmanship. Personally, I find it fascinating how Schlöndorff uses these two summer houses as a metaphor for the larger political and social shifts in German history. It's a unique and powerful way to tell a story, and one that leaves a lasting impression.
