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Contains moderate scenes of psychological distress and exorcism themeSome have called German director Hans-Christian Schmid's Requiem a 'possession movie'. No surprise, then, that there have been comparisons to The Exorcist. But this coming-of-age story about the studious, devout Michaela (Sandra Hüller), a girl from a conservative home who fears she is possessed by devils, is entirely different. Schmid's interest is in the mind, not the supernatural; the result is a naturalistic and thrillingly powerful film, with a stand-out performance from Hüller at its centre.
In fact, Requiem is loosely based on events that really happened in small town southern Germany in the 70s, where the movie is set. We join Michaela as she is about to break free from the strictures of her Catholic home and overbearing mother - an excellent Imogen Kogge - by leaving for university. But Michaela is subject to strange attacks, labelled epilepsy by puzzled doctors. Now, among new college friends, she increasingly finds herself paralysed by terrifying visions of devils.
"HÃœLLER BRINGS A BRILLIANT INTENSITY"
Just what is going on? Is Michaela really beset by devils? Or is her repressed guilt over boys, drink and dancing at university driving her to psychosis? Like those around Michaela - Burghart Klaussner is wonderful as her soft-hearted father - we must judge for ourselves. So we get a character-driven, understated movie, concerned with the violence that dysfunctional families inflict on their children, and the battle between reason and faith. Meanwhile, stage actress Hüller brings a brilliant intensity - at once super-charged and utterly believable - to Michaela. Not a devil in sight; but this might just be the most intelligent possession movie you'll ever see.
