A Trick of the Light (1995) 2015

Gertrud Skladanowky’s childhood was one of vibrant creativity, shared with her father Max and her uncles Emil and Eugen in Pankow, near Berlin. Surrounded by the innovative spirits of these men, she formed a particularly strong bond with her uncle Eugen, a gifted clown and magician. Max was fervently dedicated to realizing his vision of motion picture technology, a quest that also involved Emil as they showcased their magic lanterns at fairs. However, Gertrud yearned for something more genuine, feeling that their entertainment lacked authenticity. Her dreams began to soar when she learned that Eugen had joined a traveling circus, although she was aware that his absence would last a considerable time. Before he left, Gertrud’s gaze fell on a mysterious box crafted by her father, which held the secrets of their latest invention—film strips. In a moment of curiosity, she accidentally exposed the initial set of images, narrowly saving the delicate medium. Fortunately, the second set remained untouched, leading to Max’s triumphant demonstration of his life-size projection of Eugen, a groundbreaking achievement that would soon capture the fascination of many beyond their close-knit family. Despite the keen interest from outsiders, the Skladanowsky family adeptly avoided unwanted attention, outsmarting any would-be spies lurking nearby.

On that remarkable day, December 28th, 1895, Max Skladanowsky (Max) found himself alongside his brother Emil at the Grand Café on Paris’s Boulevard des Capucines, witnessing a pivotal moment in cinema history—the Lumière brothers’ impressive demonstration. Observing their showcase made it painfully clear that Max’s own apparatus was vastly inferior, a truth that left him in a state of shock. The memory of his preparation for this event weighed heavily on his mind; whispers of the revolutionary invention had spread like wildfire through Berlin, drawing throngs of artists eager to be immortalized on film strips in a local beer garden. Meanwhile, the esteemed operators of the Wintergarten vaudeville company caught wind of the Skladanowskys’ ambitions and sought to strike a business deal at their Pankow location. Keenly watching from a distance, Max’s curiosity intensified as he searched for more intel about their plans.

In a twist of fate, Emil overheard a thief trying to sell his rival production to the vaudeville owners. Following the man led to an unexpected scene of satisfaction when Emil witnessed the thief’s contraption unexpectedly explode in the basement, much to the astonishment of the directors. As the brothers geared up to promote their upcoming Winter Garden show, they learned that a renowned artist was in town, dazzling audiences with her captivating serpentine dance. They successfully convinced her to perform in front of their camera, hoping to enhance their film. However, during an intimate moment with Josephine, the lovely waitress he had feelings for, Emil accidentally ruined the original footage when a candle too close to the film strips ignited them.

Determined to recreate the lost film, Emil captured Josephine performing the dance. When the final showing occurred, neither Max nor the audience noticed the switch, with the exception of the original performer observing from the sidelines, who quickly set aside her doubts as roaring applause enveloped her. The film’s success was evident, showcasing the brothers’ unwavering resilience in the face of challenges.

As Lucie Hürtgen-Skladanowsky fondly reminisces about her father Max Skladanowsky, born in 1904, the boundaries of the present blur, immersed instead in rich memories from her childhood when cinema was still dawning. Her reflections transport us back to the early days of film when her family significantly influenced its development.

Suddenly, a hush envelops the room as Eugen and Gertrud return, their focused gazes surveying the surroundings with a palpable tension. The atmosphere transforms dramatically, akin to an artist shifting from vibrant hues to monochrome, reflecting the stark contrast between Lucie’s cherished past and her contemporary existence.

Eugen’s sharp instincts quickly come into play as they notice a familiar figure lurking by the window—a notorious spy—who is no match for the cunning of the resourceful uncle and his astute niece. In their flight, Eugen ushers them into a modern taxi but whimsically conjures up an anachronistic carriage, fitting for their leap through time.

Their exit is shrouded in mystery as they vanish from the construction site of Potsdamer Platz, leaving a trail of intrigue behind. The scene fades into obscurity, echoing the seamless blend of past and present as Lucie’s narrative continues to enchant.