Our take
It’s impossible to describe this incredible movie as one thing or the other. It’s an epic three-hour saga that takes you through the Nazi era, the communist era, the rise of capitalism, and the East and West German divide. But more than its historic value, it’s a coming-of-age story, one that is based on the experiences of famed German artist Gerhard Richter. It’s also a romance, following his experiences finding love and being hit with loss (in no particular order). If you liked the director’s other work, the Oscar-winning The Lives of Others, you’re sure to love this too.
What it won
Sundance
1 nom
The story
German artist Kurt Barnert has escaped East Germany and now lives in West Germany, but is tormented by his childhood under the Nazis and the GDR regime.
Elsewhere
"Stately rather than stealthy... but you are borne along, nonetheless, by the clash of characters, and by the ironies of historical momentum."
— Anthony Lane
"One of the subtler strengths of "Never Look Away" is the canny evocation of a war-weary, defeated population who did not experience communism as a revolution but a substitution."
— Jessica Kiang
The details
Who picked it
Bilal Zouheir is the founder of A Good Movie to Watch. He is based in the US and a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society. He grew up in Morocco, where he learned English from watching movies. Bilal's work with A Good Movie to Watch is focused on offering an alternative to streaming algorithms, which are often used as commercial tools by streaming services.
Just watched this last night – 3 hours flew by and when it ended I wanted more. Tom Schilling, and Paula Beer act the main characters and let me just say all 3 give riveting performances – as does the other main Sebastian Koch, a creepy in-denial former ss murderer. I loved especially how the portrayal of art itself changes throughout the movie. 100% recommend.