The 2023 Venice Film Festival has garnered attention for its lineup featuring major films from established directors such as David Fincher, Yorgos Lanthimos, Sofia Coppela, and Michael Mann. However, festival director Alberto Barbera reserved his longest praise for a small film from Germany. Timm Kröger’s second feature, “The Theory of Everything,” a black-and-white Hitchcockian melodrama set in a 5-star hotel in the Swiss Alps, was described by Barbera as one of the very first films selected to compete for the Golden Bear.
Kröger, in an interview ahead of the world premiere of “The Theory of Everything,” reflects on Barbera’s praise and the notion that it is up to the audience to determine if the film deserves its place in the festival. Regardless of audience reception, this isn’t the first time that The Barricades, the German banner set up by Kröger and producer Viktoria Stolpe, has generated interest in their films.
In 2020, The Barricades debuted their first feature, “The Trouble With Being Born,” directed by Sandra Wollner, at the Berlinale’s Encounters strand for daring works. While the film did not venture into explicit content, its premise about a 10-year-old android girl and her “Daddy” sparked controversy and accusations of promoting pedophilia. The film was even dragged into Hollywood conspiracy theories, resulting in its removal from the Melbourne International Film Festival lineup. However, those who actually watched the film praised it for its examination of an android’s desires and it went on to win awards at the Romy Awards in Austria.
The attention garnered by “The Trouble With Being Born” put The Barricades on the map and paved the way for “The Theory of Everything,” which Kröger and Stolpe had been pitching since 2015. While they hadn’t anticipated such a level of reaction, they admit to wanting to launch the company with something that would raise eyebrows, as they were not interested in making boring dramas.
Despite “The Trouble With Being Born” and “The Theory of Everything” sounding like very different movies, Kröger and Stolpe claim a common DNA in their filmmaking. They attribute this to their friendship formed in film school and their years working together on multiple titles. Their films are often metaphysical and explore questions about the world that cannot be answered definitively, finding a semblance of an answer in cinema.
The Barricades’ films also defy expectations of what typically comes out of Germany. While most German films fall into the categories of straight-up dramas, boy-meets-girl stories, or social realism, The Barricades explore the opposite side of the spectrum with their movies.
Looking ahead, The Barricades have plans for future projects. “Soi Dogs,” directed by Roderick Warich, co-writer of “The Theory of Everything” and “The Trouble With Being Born,” is about to start shooting in Thailand. Additionally, Sandra Wollner is currently working on her next feature, “Everytime,” which is in the development stage.
The reason behind the company name, The Barricades, stems from the French baroque composition “Les Barricades Mysterieuses” by François Couperin. This piece of music features prominently in both Terrence Malick’s “Tree of Life” and “The Theory of Everything.” The title of the composition has remained enigmatic for several centuries, leading to speculation about its meaning. Kröger chose the name because of its cultural history, which nobody truly understands, and because it sounds cool.
In conclusion, The Barricades, through their daring and thought-provoking films, have gained attention and recognition in the film industry. Their films challenge norms and explore metaphysical concepts, providing audiences with a different cinematic experience. With future projects in the pipeline, The Barricades continue to push boundaries and defy expectations.
