Posted at 11:30 a.m.
The interest of this new film adaptation of the classic novel by Erich Maria Remarque is that, unlike the two previous ones, this one is produced in the country of origin of the author. Im Westen nichts Neues moreover represents Germany at the Oscars in the category of best international film.
Under the direction of Edward Berger (Jack, Germany 83), supported by a technology which obviously did not have its predecessors (the most famous version, made by Lewis Milestone, was released in 1930!), In the west, nothing is new becomes an immersive experience, intended to plunge the viewer into the horror of war. We particularly follow a young man (Felix Kammerer) who, in the company of three classmates, voluntarily enlisted in the German imperial army, galvanized by a propagandist discourse having no anchor in reality.
Classically made, In the west, nothing is new obviously does not have the will to renew the genre of war drama, but it is extremely effective. We also welcome the approach of a filmmaker who knew how to evoke horror in a realistic way, without however falling into complacency. Edward Berger also knew how to construct the story in such a way as to offer the spectator a few moments of respite. Note also the presence of excellent young actors, whose relative anonymity on the international level helps to make the story even more authentic in our eyes.
Nor can we overestimate the relevance of a film whose story, which echoes events that occurred more than 100 years ago, could not be more in tune with current events.
Showing on the big screen in two rooms of the Guzzo channel, in the original German version with subtitles, In the west, nothing is new is now available exclusively on Netflix.
In theaters and on Netflix
war drama
All Quiet on the Western Front
(VF: In the west, nothing is new)
Edward Berger
With Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Daniel Brühl
2:27 a.m.