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Pawlikowski's 'Fatherland' Stuns Cannes with Standing Ovation
14 May
Summary
- Sandra Hüller stars in Paweł Pawlikowski's acclaimed 'Fatherland'.
- The film explores post-war Europe's moral complexities and legacies.
- 'Fatherland' received a five-minute standing ovation at Cannes.

Paweł Pawlikowski's latest drama, "Fatherland," made a significant impact at the Cannes Film Festival, drawing a warm reception and a five-minute standing ovation for its stars. The film follows Sandra Hüller as she undertakes a fraught road trip with her onscreen father, played by Hanns Zischler, exploring the collision of ideologies and personal regret in post-war Europe.
Set in the summer of 1949, "Fatherland" sees the father-daughter duo travel from Frankfurt to Weimar across a divided Germany. This black-and-white drama, reminiscent of Pawlikowski's previous works like "Ida" and "Cold War," delves into themes of fascism, communism, death, and the weight of legacy.
Hüller's performance, particularly in moments of emotional depth, has generated considerable Oscar buzz. The film, with its concise 82-minute runtime, stands as the shortest feature in the Cannes competition this year, showcasing Pawlikowski's masterful storytelling through a reunion with his trusted filmmaking team.