Afire
KinoFest 2025
Afire | © Christian Schulz | Schramm Film
Director: Christian Petzold
Writer: Christian Petzold
Age Rating: 13+
Language: German with English and Vietnamese subtitles
Leon and Felix plan to spend a quiet summer at a seaside cottage — Leon writing, Felix creating art. But the arrival of Nadja and Devid stirs warmth, tension, and desire. As emotions rise and a nearby forest fire turns the sky red, Leon is forced to face his insecurities and the chaos within. The movie captures the fragile balance between creativity and desire, humour and melancholy.
Trivia / Awards / Nominations
- World premiere | Berlinale 2023 – Competition section
- Silver Bear – Grand Jury Prize, Berlinale 2023
- Best Screenplay – German Film Critics Association Awards 2024
- Best Director – Christian Petzold, German Film Awards 2024
- Best Editing – Bettina Böhler, German Film Awards 2024
- Roter Himmel is the second part of Christian Petzold’s “trilogy of elements,” following Undine (2020, water element) and preceding the final part, which is expected to focus on the earth element.