German Film Duo's Latest Work, Featuring Award-Winning Actress, Arrives in Lithuania

German filmmakers Christian Petzold and Paula Beer, known for their collaborations, are bringing their latest film, "Lokys, liūtas ir šakelė" (Bear, Lion, and Twig), to Lithuanian cinemas on August 7. The movie, which has already been featured in the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight, delves into complex psychological themes, reflecting Petzold's penchant for exploring dual identities and hidden traumas.

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I don't like clear, open endings of a film. And, frankly, the ending of the new film differs from the initial script idea. I told Christian that it's a bit too pompous or dramatic and doesn't quite fit the mood the character creates. During editing, the director realized the ending didn't work and agreed to reshoot it.

Paula Beer, who previously starred in Petzold's acclaimed films "Transit," "Undine," and "Undine," plays Laura, a woman who survives an accident and seeks refuge with a stranger named Betė. Beer's portrayal of Laura, who finds solace in Betė's quiet routine, has garnered significant praise, including a Silver Bear award at the Berlinale and recognition as Best Actress at the European Film Awards for her role in "Undine."

Beer shared insights into her creative process, noting a shift from perfectionism to embracing spontaneity on set. "With Christian, it's important to react spontaneously to what's happening at the moment," she explained. This approach, she believes, helps create realistic characters grappling with themes like emptiness, grief, and the inability to process emotions, which are central to Petzold's narratives.

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Learning to play the piano, I started at six. If my heroine had chosen the flute, I wouldn't even know how to hold it. I didn't want to play M. Ravel's piece either, because it's a masterpiece. However, I learned the beginning, so in one of the scenes, I am actually playing the piano.

The film's title is inspired by Maurice Ravel's piano suite "Miroirs No. 3." Beer, who is a pianist, learned to play a portion of the piece for a scene, adding a personal layer to her performance. She described the challenge and eventual satisfaction of mastering the complex composition, highlighting how her musical background informed her character's journey.

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With Christian, it's important to react spontaneously to what's happening at the moment. I think this greatly helps to create a complex, realistic human portrait and convey the themes Christian explores in his scripts – emptiness, grief, trauma, the inability to accept feelings or their loss.