Transit provides hope – Sydney Film Festival
Perhaps fittingly relevant to the current geopolitical state of the world in which many regulations and boundaries hold us to certain places, Transit speaks of how places and people can hold us to both the physical geography of the land and the relationships we have.
Directed by German director Christian Petzold, Transit speaks on themes of identity, albeit the mistaken identity of Georg (Franz Rogowski) who, after fleeing the Nazi invasion, is stuck in Marseilles. Georg impersonates a dead writer whose papers he holds in order to leave when he then meets a young woman, Marie (Paula Beer), the writer’s wife.
Taking on the role others assume of him in order to adapt, Georg’s true identity is subdued by a performance of who he needs to be in order to obtain a transit (a visa). The parallels between Petzold’s story and the uncertainty of many who await proper documentation in order to be processed and make better lives for themselves or unite with their loved ones ring true especially today. In today’s context, Transit makes us aware of how easily identity can be mistaken in a system that processes people like numbers.
Through the use of lighting Georg’s face is often concealed by shadows and silhouettes whilst a voiceover narrates his actions, forcing us to remain as distant observers of the film. Unable to connect or truly understand who he is, the audience is kept at a distance and often left wondering about the truth behind his motivations.
Simply put, although the motivation for the protagonist is to obtain a transit and leave, romantic ideals presented in the film bind us to dream that our two protagonists will end up together. Petzold’s romanticisation of the story provides comfort in the context of a harsh post war France where many others like Georg and Marie are left waiting. By placing the story of the two eventual lovers within the overall story of waiting for a transit, the film provides hope to those watching by using romance as a comfort.
Ultimately, Georg and Marie both end up falling into a pattern of longing or searching for belonging that continues beyond the film’s conclusion, which remains unsolved; paralleling the uncertainty many face whilst in transit.
Transit plays at Sydney Film Festival on the 17th of June. Find out more here: https://www.sff.org.au/program/browse/transit
Interview by Addy Fong.
