I dream of Berlin before the terror often. It’s a place I’ve been to in books and films and my own imagination- but this film really brings that lost world to life. Lament the lost world of Billy Wilder and Edgar Ulmer and Robert Siodmak and Joseph Roth and Stephan Zweig and Thomas Mann and Gabriele Tergit.
Lament the loss of an imperfect liberal society, exhausted by seemingly endless wars, disease and inflation. Consider how alike — in profession, conversation and lifestyle to 2026 New York or London.
I wish we were brought up with less emphasis on how their story ends - disgraceful and tragic and necessary as it may be - and more on the Liberal world utterly destroyed by right wing populism that was fueled by left wing shortsightedness.
But those are stories in the future for these characters. For now, let us enjoy this one pleasant, laconic Sunday spent in the freedom and sunshine of Berlin skies.