Sep. 04, 1981|West Germany|106 Min.|n/A
Genre: Drama
Description: Marianne and Juliane is a 1981 film that explores the lives of two sisters deeply committed to women’s civil rights, though they pursue their goals in vastly different ways. The story is enriched with flashbacks to their childhood.
Juliane works as a feminist journalist, advocating for women’s rights, particularly the right to abortion. In contrast, Marianne joins a violent revolutionary terrorist group, leaving her husband and child behind. When Marianne’s husband arrives at Juliane’s home, he insists that she take care of their son, Jan, as he must leave the country for work. Juliane, disapproving of Marianne’s choices, refuses, believing they harm the women’s movement. Tragically, the husband takes his own life, leaving Jan without a guardian.
Marianne later meets Juliane to discuss her political involvement and urges her sister to join the cause. Juliane reveals the suicide and her plan to find a foster home for Jan. Marianne pleads with Juliane to care for him, but Juliane responds with resentment, essentially stating, “What’s not good enough for you is supposed to be good enough for me?” Marianne remains committed to her activism, justifying Jan’s foster care by claiming it’s better than the lives of children in third-world countries.
As the story unfolds, Marianne frequently disrupts Juliane’s life, often appearing unannounced. On one occasion, she arrives at 3 a.m. with comrades, helps herself to Juliane’s belongings, and makes coffee. Soon after, Marianne is arrested and imprisoned. Juliane visits her, but Marianne refuses to see her, further straining their relationship.
The film delves into the complexities of family, ideology, and the personal costs of activism, painting a poignant portrait of two women on divergent paths.
Cast director: Margarethe von Trotta
Cast actor: Jutta Lampe, Barbara Sukowa, Julia Biedermann, Ina Robinski, Rüdiger Vogler, Doris Schade, Vérénice Rudolph, Luc Bondy, Franz Rudnick, Hannelore Minkus
Original name: Die bleierne Zeit