Phoenix

PHOENIX is the stunning new feature from acclaimed director Christian Petzold (BARBARA, JERICHOW). A spellbinding mystery of identity, illusion and deception set against the turmoil of post-World War II Germany, the film re-teams Petzold with his regular star, Nina Hoss, in their sixth collaboration. PHOENIX was a favorite at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival, where it was voted Best Narrative Feature in Indiewire's Critics' Poll.

Berlin, 1945: Nelly (Nina Hoss), a German-Jewish, ex-nightclub singer, has survived a concentration camp. But, like her country, she is scarred, her face disfigured by a bullet wound. After undergoing reconstructive surgery, Nelly emerges with a new face, one similar but different enough that her former husband, Johnny (Ronald Zehrfeld, BARBARA), doesn’t recognize her. Rather than reveal herself, Nelly begins a dangerous game of duplicity and disguise as she tries to figure out if the man she loves may have been the one who betrayed her to the Nazis.

Co-written by the late Harun Farocki and featuring two powerhouse performances in the lead roles, PHOENIX is a haunting and intricate drama that once again affirms Petzold as one of the most accomplished filmmakers working today.

"Superbly crafted, emotionally resonant… Both a powerful allegory for post-war regeneration and a rich Hitchcockian tale of mistaken identity, 'Phoenix' once again proves that German filmmaker Christian Petzold and his favorite star, Nina Hoss, are clearly one of the best director-actor duos working in movies today." – Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter

"A haunting portrait of identity, loss and the search for answers in post-WWII Berlin. Petzold is such a gifted storyteller, with the lean, driving narrative sense of the film noir masters."
– Scott Foundas, Variety

"An amazing piece of work that transcends historical document to become art. It's unforgettable. Hoss is mesmerizing here in every single beat. It’s a performance from which you can’t turn away." – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com