A doctor working in 1980s East Germany finds herself banished to a small country hospital.
Although there remains in place a palpable sense of oppression and paranoia, the dividing line between the repressive East and the liberated West is sufficiently blurred to give Barbara’s dilemma real dramatic weight.
Not only has director Christian Petzold assembled a fascinating hill of beans, but there’s a moonlit scene that almost alone justifies his Silver Bear win at Berlin.
Christian Petzold's drama will prompt inevitable comparisons with the Oscar-winning The Lives of Others. While not as exquisitely calibrated as Lives, it is just as much of a gripping watch.
[A] taut moral drama.
[A] scrupulously even-tempered thriller.
An engaging character study about embers of humanity subverting the communist machine, and a prime showcase for the great German actress, Nina Hoss.
The weird oppression and seediness of the times is elegantly captured, and Hoss coolly conveys Barbara's highly strung desperation.
Tough and tender, it's the best Iron Curtain drama since The Lives Of Others.
There isn't a moment lost in Barbara – the last 20 minutes are a miracle of narrative economy – and Hans Fromm's photography is unfussily atmospheric.
An enthralling little gem.
This is a film of consequence, and it's good to be reminded of how much better life is for most people in eastern Europe than it was a quarter of a century ago.
A taut and terrible tale of state oppression and personal sacrifice is given a wonderfully human dimension.
This may not be the film for those seeking a lively thriller but Petzold’s genius lies in his ability to create boiling tension with very little effort.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday September 28, 2012, until Thursday October 4, 2012. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee from Friday October 12, 2012, until Thursday October 18, 2012. More info: www.dca.org.uk