Miroirs No. 3

As if by a miracle, piano student Laura survives a serious car accident during an outing to the countryside outside Berlin. Physically unharmed but emotionally shaken, she finds shelter in the home of Betty, who witnessed the accident. From the very first moment, a deep bond forms between the two women. Laura enjoys Betty’s maternal care, her visits to the workshop of Betty’s husband and son, and working in the garden. It is a carefree, happy time of togetherness. Yet something feels off: a dark pain that binds all four of them, remaining unspoken.

With sensitivity and intimacy, Christian Petzold tells a story about the fragility of life and the overcoming of despair. «Miroirs No. 3» premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and is, in its own distinctive way, both consoling and masterfully staged. The film is carried above all by the magic of cinematographer Hans Fromm’s warm, clear late-summer images and the nuanced performances of Paula Beer, Barbara Auer, Matthias Brandt and Enno Trebs.