Bendita Film Sales has boarded “A Fading Man” ahead of its world premiere in Rotterdam Film Festival’s Tiger Competition.
The film, directed by Welf Reinhart in his feature debut, follows married couple Hanne (Dagmar Manzel) and Bernd (August Zirner). Their lives are suddenly interrupted by a visitor from the past: Hanne’s former husband Kurt (Harald Krassnitzer), suffering from dementia and convinced they are still together.
In an interview with Variety, Reinhart discussed the “extremes” of Alzheimer’s disease.
“On the one hand, it’s a fatal, terrible illness. On the other, it often leads to unintentionally comical situations. It was clear to me that the film had to capture this ambivalence.”
Reinhart mentioned many touching films about the illness, including Julianne Moore starrer “Still Alice” and “The Father,” which “powerfully capture the grim side of the disease.”
“Then there are those that present the topic as pure comedy, like the ‘Head Full of Honey,’ which was a huge success in Germany. A true middle ground – a drama that shows both the humorous and heartfelt aspects as well as the brutal ones – is rare. [Sarah Polley’s] ‘Away From Her’ is the only one of the many films that seeks this ambivalence.”
Kurt’s fragile state disrupts the couple’s comfortable routine. But Reinhart insisted “A Fading Man” isn’t primarily about an illness: “It’s about a love story.”
“The illness is present, but at its core, it’s about love, friendship, forgiveness and mutual responsibility.” As well as intimacy, which they can still give each other.
“Intimacy is an important part of human life, regardless of age. It’s more than just sex; it can be a gentle touch. Since this story is about three humans with a very deep emotional connection, it was an essential part for all of us to show this kind of vulnerability to each other and to the audience.”
As Kurt slowly enters their lives and stirs up old memories, Hanne becomes unable to let him go. A love triangle forms.
“Kurt has forgotten the past 20 years. He is a man out of time. When Hanne meets him, she’s confronted not only with old wounds, but also her younger self and with the purity of life,” noted the director. He co-wrote the screenplay with Tünde Sautier.
“It’s often said, but it’s still somehow true: Age is just a number, at least if the conditions are right. It was never a problem for me to make a film about three people in their 60s, even though I’m only 30. We all share the desire for connection.”
It can take different forms, just like love.
“Friendship is a form of love, too. Discovering the thin line between friendship, responsibility and love was one of the most interesting questions for me.”
While researching for the film, Reinhart completed several weeks of training as a dementia caregiver.
“Then, I volunteered with the German Alzheimer’s Society for about a year, supporting two men in their 50s living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Encountering them and their families was deeply moving and influenced our screenplay directly and indirectly,” he said.
“Above all, they reminded me that even as memory fades, the need for love, dignity, and human closeness never does.”
Luis Renart, CEO of Bendita Film Sales, commented: “From the very first moment, we were struck by the delicacy and emotional intelligence of ‘A Fading Man’. Welf Reinhart approaches a complex subject with remarkable sensitivity, shaping a deeply human story about love, memory, and the subtle ways life can open up again.”
“A Fading Man” joined Bendita’s lineup at this year’s EFM, alongside “The Ivy” by Ana Cristina Barragán, “The Condor Daughter” by Álvaro Olmos Torrico, “Manas” by Marianna Brennand and “The Portuguese House” by Avelina Prat.
It’s produced by Maverick Film in co-production with BR and in collaboration with ARTE, CinePostproduction and Metz-Neun Synchron.
“The film feels both intimate and luminous, and we are confident it will resonate with audiences internationally,” added Renart.
English (US) ·