Undine 2021
Directed by
Christian Petzold
Made by
IFC Films
Plot Summary
Undine Wibeau, portrayed by Paula Beer, is a dedicated historian who specializes in the urban development of Berlin. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is abruptly ended by Johannes, played by Jacob Matschenz, a married man she has been seeing. In a moment of desperation, she warns him that if he leaves her, she will be forced to “kill him,” invoking the legend of the undine. She requests he wait for her at a café while she presents her lecture. However, upon returning, she discovers that Johannes has vanished.
In her search for him, she meets Christoph, an industrial diver portrayed by Franz Rogowski, who attended her lecture. Their encounter leads to an unexpected coffee invitation, but a mishap occurs when Christoph accidentally shatters the café’s aquarium, resulting in their expulsion. Undine and Christoph quickly develop a deep and passionate bond.
While working in the Lingese, Christoph comes face to face with a massive Wels catfish known fondly as Big Gunther. Their relationship grows deeper as Christoph introduces Undine to the thrill of diving. In a tense moment during one of their dives, Undine drifts too far and nearly drowns, but Christoph bravely rescues her. Before she departs for Berlin, he gifts her a small diver statue, symbolizing their connection.
However, their path takes a dark turn when Christoph visits Undine’s apartment in Berlin only to cross paths with Johannes and his new partner, Nora, played by Julia Franz Richter, resulting in an uneasy recognition. Later, Johannes reaches out to Undine, confessing he regrets ending their relationship, but she firmly rejects him.
After a tumultuous evening filled with uncertainty, Undine receives a phone call from Christoph, who inquires about Johannes. When he doubts her claim of not loving Johannes, the conversation leaves her unsettled. That night, she attempts to meet Christoph but learns that he has been involved in a tragic diving accident, leaving him trapped underwater without air. His colleague, Maryam Zaree, informs her of the grave situation.
Desperate for closure, Undine confronts Johannes at his home while he enjoys a swim with Nora. In a shocking twist, she enters the pool and drowns Johannes, immediately submerging herself in water. Meanwhile, Christoph awakens from his ordeal, desperately calling her name.
As time passes, Christoph finds himself in a new life with Monika, played by Anne Ratte-Polle, who is now pregnant. He gets an opportunity to work on the turbines in the Lingese once more, but while diving, he unexpectedly encounters Undine in the river. Though initially unable to capture her image on video, he remains drawn to her presence. That night, he plunges back into the water against Monika’s wishes, determined to reclaim the connection that was lost. After embracing the vision of Undine, Christoph returns to Monika, holding the precious statue of the diver, symbolizing the complex intertwining of love, loss, and the unyielding pull of fate.
Timeline
Undine's Expertise
Undine Wibeau is introduced as a dedicated historian specializing in the urban development of Berlin. Her passion for history reflects her deep connection to the city's past and its transformations.
The End of a Relationship
Undine's life takes a dramatic turn when Johannes, a married man she has been seeing, abruptly ends their relationship. In a moment of desperation, she warns him about the consequences of leaving her, invoking the legend of the undine.
The Disappearance of Johannes
Undine requests Johannes to wait for her at a café while she presents her lecture, but upon her return, she finds he has vanished without a trace. This leaves her bewildered and desperate to uncover what happened.
A New Connection
In her quest to find Johannes, Undine meets Christoph, an industrial diver who attended her lecture. Their chance encounter leads to an unexpected invitation for coffee, sparking a new emotional connection between them.
The Aquarium Incident
Their budding romance takes a comedic turn when Christoph accidentally shatters the café's aquarium during their meeting, leading to their expulsion. Despite the mishap, they grow closer, sharing deeper personal moments.
Diving Adventures
As Christoph introduces Undine to the thrill of diving, their relationship deepens significantly. They bond over shared experiences, exploring underwater scenes and facing challenges together, including an encounter with a massive catfish.
The Near-Drowning Incident
During one dive, Undine drifts too far and nearly drowns, but Christoph bravery saves her just in time. This life-threatening moment strengthens their bond, showcasing Christoph's dedication to Undine.
Christoph's Gift
Before parting ways for Berlin, Christoph gifts Undine a small diver statue, symbolizing their unique connection. This token serves as a reminder of their time together and the emotions they shared.
Uneasy Encounters
Christoph visits Undine's apartment in Berlin only to unexpectedly cross paths with Johannes and his new partner, Nora. This tense meeting stirs feelings of unease and jealousy, complicating Christoph's feelings for Undine.
Johannes Reaches Out
In a surprising turn, Johannes attempts to reconcile with Undine, expressing regret for ending their relationship. However, Undine stands her ground and firmly rejects his advances, emphasizing her commitment to moving on.
Christoph's Doubts
After a tumultuous evening, Christoph calls Undine, expressing doubts about her feelings for Johannes. The tense conversation unsettles Undine, causing her to question her own emotions and the situation.
A Tragic Accident
Undine learns about Christoph's tragic diving accident, leaving him trapped underwater without air. The news leaves her devastated, adding a layer of urgency to her emotions and her desire to connect with him.
Confrontation with Johannes
In a desperate bid for closure, Undine confronts Johannes at his home, where she finds him swimming with Nora. In a shocking act, she drowns Johannes, fully embracing the dark power of the undine legend.
Christoph Awakens
As Undine submerges herself after the act, Christoph suddenly awakens from his underwater ordeal, calling out to her. This moment marks a significant connection between them, even amid tragedy.
A New Life and a Haunting Presence
Time passes, and Christoph builds a new life with Monika, who is now pregnant. Yet, he feels an undeniable pull towards Undine and dives back into the river, encountering her spirit, indicating their fates are still intertwined.
Characters
Undine Wibeau (Paula Beer)
Undine is a passionate historian deeply connected to Berlin's urban landscape, reflecting her commitment to understanding her past and the city around her. Her journey is marked by intense emotional turmoil, shifting between love, desperation, and a yearning for closure. The duality of her character is revealed as she grapples with her tragic relationship with Johannes and her passionate bond with Christoph.
Christoph (Franz Rogowski)
Christoph is an industrial diver whose adventurous spirit leads him into a profound relationship with Undine. His character embodies bravery and emotional complexity, as he continuously faces the dangers of his profession while seeking genuine connection. His growth throughout the film illustrates the struggle between love and responsibility, especially as he navigates past traumas and new beginnings.
Johannes (Jacob Matschenz)
Johannes represents the conflicted nature of love and desire, introducing chaos into Undine's life. His initial relationship with Undine reveals his inability to fully commit, leading to dramatic and tragic consequences. His regret and attempts to reconnect with Undine demonstrate the complexities of love and the burden of decisions made.
Monika (Anne Ratte-Polle)
Monika is introduced as Christoph's partner, embodying the challenges of moving on and the comparisons to past relationships. Her character highlights the complexities of love as she navigates the emotional fallout of Christoph's lingering feelings for Undine. Monika's pregnancy adds a layer of responsibility and foreshadows the eventual turmoil stemming from Christoph's unresolved past.
Setting
Time period
The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern challenges in relationships and personal identity. This time period is marked by societal changes and urban development, playing a crucial role in the characters' lives, particularly in relation to their careers and emotional struggles.
Location
Berlin, Lingese
Berlin serves as the backdrop of Undine's life, known for its rich history and urban development. The Lingese, with its deep waters, symbolizes both the mystery of Undine's fate and the thrill of Christoph's diving adventures. Together, they represent a contrast between chaotic city life and the serene yet dangerous allure of nature.
Themes
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Love & Loss
The theme of love and loss is central to Undine's narrative, as she navigates the pain of betrayal and the depths of her emotions. Her relationship with Christoph deepens amidst the shadow of her past love, Johannes, highlighting the complexity of human connections. This theme explores the transformative power of love and the heartache that often accompanies it.
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Fate & Destiny
Fate plays a pivotal role in driving the characters' lives, especially through the myth of the undine. Undine's actions result from a deep intertwining of her desires and the fate that brings her and Christoph together. The narrative invites viewers to ponder the relentless pull of destiny and whether it can ever truly be escaped.
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