Lars Eidinger on Berlin Opener ‘The Light’: “We, the Privileged Wealthy, Are the Problem”

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Following a ten-year immersion into the lives of people from my grandparents’ generation in the TV series “Babylon Berlin“, set in the 1930s, Tom Tykwer has now shifted his attention back to contemporary Germany with the film masterpiece “The Light“. This movie serves as the opening night presentation at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.

Director Tykwer, alongside stars Lars Eidinger and Nicolette Krebitz, as well as newcomer Tala Al Deen, shared insights about the film’s inspiration during a press conference at Berlinale, prior to the film’s global debut on Thursday.

In this story, Lars Eidinger and Nicolette Krebitz portray Tim and Milena Engels, a middle-aged couple dealing with privilege and dissatisfaction. Tim, a forward-thinking ad executive, maintains his left-wing beliefs while helping big corporations greenwash their images. Meanwhile, Milena grapples with an failing arts project in Kenya. The Engels’ teenage twins are on divergent paths – one immersed in Berlin’s club culture, the other lost in a virtual reality world – while their young eight-year-old child goes unnoticed. The life of the Engels family is shaken up by the arrival of Farrah (Tala Al-Deen), a enigmatic Syrian refugee who takes on the role of their housekeeper. With ambiguous intentions, she serves as a magnetic force that brings the fragmented Engels family into sharper relief.

Tykwer revealed that his inspiration for the 2016 film “A Hologram for a King” stemmed from a desire to connect across the generational divide. He observed that people are increasingly secluding themselves, living in their own self-contained worlds, like fish in an aquarium… Everything seems pleasant, but there’s no real communication anymore. It’s as if they need to keep their heads submerged underwater.

Simultaneously, Tykwer pointed out, the different generations appear to be drawing nearer, exhibiting comparable behaviors, and facing similar challenges.

As ravers age, they continue to frequent clubs. It’s important for the younger generation to acknowledge or even celebrate this demographic. This blending of generations is more intimate than ever before, transcending social classes and fostering a unique sense of community.

Berlin takes center stage in “The Light,” and despite the fact that Tykwer’s film adaptation is constantly shrouded by torrential rain, his affection for the German capital remains undiminished. He states, “Berlin is the world’s greatest cinematic city because it’s incomplete… there are eyesores standing beside beautiful architectural masterpieces, but at the same time, life and change are everywhere.

Eidinger, referring to the idea that the city is perpetually an ongoing building project, mentioned that he once observed “a building site established atop another building site” within Berlin.

Eidinger refuted the claim put forth by a journalist present, suggesting that The Light did not solely portray a limited portion of Berlin society, specifically focusing on the affluent circles inhabited by the Engels family.

He expressed that the more a movie is rooted in personal experiences, the broader its appeal becomes. In essence, the central theme of this film can be summarized as: It’s us, the affluent and privileged, who constitute the issue.

Director Tykwer, who has previously opened the Berlinale with “Heaven” in 2002 and “The International” in 2009, initially felt disappointed that “The Light” was not selected for the festival’s competition. However, upon further thought, he believes that this film is perfectly suited to launch the 75th Berlinale instead.

Tykwer commented on the film’s exploration of a dysfunctional family, stating that it’s intriguing because it implies the existence of a perfect or ‘functional’ family. He suggests that it’s only machines that are truly functional, while humans are characterized by their imperfections and contradictions. This is an aspect of humanity we must accept. The film could serve as a catalyst for discussions beyond simple political debates, encouraging us to understand and coexist with the complexity that often arises when both sides might hold valid points. This, Tykwer believes, is also one of the goals of a festival like this.

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2025-02-13 18:25