TRAILERS
First Trailer for Terrence Malick's 'A Hidden Life' Starring August Diehl
by Alex Billington
August 13, 2019
Source: YouTube
"If our leaders, if they are evil, what does one do?" Fox Searchlight has unveiled the first official trailer for the new Terrence Malick film titled A Hidden Life (originally known as Radegund while in production). This premiered at the Cannes Film Festival playing in competition this summer, but didn't win any awards. Set during World War II in Austria, the film follows a local farmer who refuses to fight for the Nazis after they take over and annex Austria. The nearly-three-hour-long film follows Franz Jägerstätter, played by August Diehl, as the Nazis come to power and he is eventually thrown in jail for refusing to take the Hitler oath. The cast includes Valerie Pachner (also seen in The Ground Beneath My Feet), Michael Nyqvist, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jürgen Prochnow, Bruno Ganz, Alexander Fehling, Ulrich Matthes, and Karl Markovics. This film is gorgeous and has plenty of ideas to consider that clearly connect to today, but runs on a bit too long (read my full review). That said, I still recommend it and this trailer sells it perfectly.
Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Terrence Malick's A Hidden Life, from FSL's YouTube:
Based on real events, A Hidden Life is the story of an unsung hero, Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. When the Austrian peasant farmer is faced with the threat of execution for treason, it is his unwavering faith and his love for his wife, Fani, and children that keeps his spirit alive. A Hidden Life is both written and directed by prolific American filmmaker Terrence Malick, director of the films Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line, The New World, The Tree of Life, To the Wonder, Knight of Cups, and Song to Song previously. It's produced by Elisabeth Bentley, Dario Bergesio, Grant Hill, and Josh Jeter; co-produced by Jini Durr. With music by James Newton Howard, cinematography by Jörg Widmer. This premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year (read our review). Fox Searchlight will release Malick's A Hidden Life in select US theaters starting December 13th.
13 Comments
2
Some things people do can be the allegory of something bigger. I hope this is done right since I am definitely interested ...
shiboleth on Aug 13, 2019
3
I'm torn AF over this one. I think it is just my observation that not all stories work being told through Malick's lens. The sweeping shots are always visually stimulating but what they produce emotionally may not do justice to the story. But in the same vein, The Thin Red Line was kinda the same way....torn...AF.
Whichhalfofthewit on Aug 13, 2019
4
I used to love his films but I'm Mallicked out. I can't possibly sit through another piece of his dreck. I'm done. I couldn't even watch the trailer. If it's great, too bad, i'll never know because I've given him too many chances.
Charles Knowlton on Aug 13, 2019
5
God, how I loved Days of Heaven by Malick...still do as it's one of my all time favorites and so beautifully shot...on film! Loved The Thin Red Line also, but began to see how Malick was drifting into a haze of sorts and really haven't liked anything of his since. Such a pity too. This looks a little more grounded, but alas, for me, he shot it digital...and I can tell immediately...and don't like it. I know digital is here to stay and that is just the way it is....but it doesn't mean I have to like it or it's look. I've been okay with a few shot digital...The Drop for one...Mad Max: Fury Road for another...but for the most part it just doesn't measure up to film and never will. My loss. I can't imagine what Apocalypse Now would have looked like shot digital. Or anything of Kubrick's. Thank the gods it wasn't around then. Not sure Kubrick would have ever embraced digital. That would have been an interesting thing if he had to face that. If he ever shot digital it would be the best digital film ever made, that's for sure...lol...
thespiritbo on Aug 13, 2019
6
Now, that's not something I've really thought about. But, wow if Kubrick shot digital the attempt for perfection would be something to see. It would be interesting that's for sure. This actually looks pretty good though. Malick lost me wit the last few films. I think trying to tell a true story grounds him in some ways. I absolutely love The Thin Red Line.
Movies Are Fun on Aug 13, 2019
7
I liked The Thin Red Line too as I said....and especially his Days of Heaven. He is unique, but became a little to out there for me and unaccessible. I thought a lot of his stuff after Red Line to be a bit naive spiritually. Yes, if Kubrick used digital it would be the best ever done, I'm sure.
thespiritbo on Aug 14, 2019
9
Looks powerful, but I've still yet to see a Malick film.
THE_RAW_ on Aug 14, 2019
10
Wha! None of them? I'd start with Days of Heaven and Badlands, and then work your way through The Thin Red Line and The Tree of Life and maybe Knight of Cups.
Alex Billington on Aug 14, 2019
11
I know know lol. They're on my ever growing list, but they seem like films I need to "be in the mood" for, ya know?
THE_RAW_ on Aug 14, 2019
12
Follow Alex's advice. Days of Heaven is one of the best films ever made. In my humble opinion.
thespiritbo on Aug 14, 2019
13
Terrence doing Terrence stuff. Looks solid though.
DAVIDPD on Aug 14, 2019
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