The harrowing WWII drama From Hilde, With Love is based on the true story of Hilde and Hans Coppi.
He was a revolutionary and a communist in Germany when Hitler was in power, learning Morse code to liaise with the Russians. She was a conservative dental assistant who was with another man when he caught her eye and the pair fell in love. She was a good typist and worked with him so he could master Morse code. Together they worked in an anti-Nazi resistance movement. The stakes were high if they were caught and Hans had already spent time in prison. Then, in 1942, the pair and other members of their group (dubbed The Red Orchestra by the Gestapo) were arrested and charged with treason and espionage.
Andreas Dresen’s film moves back and forth between what happens next to Hilde, and memories of her pre-arrest activities. As Hilde awaits her sentence, she reminisces about her involvement with Hans and their romance, during the most beautiful summer of her life. Their fate may be sealed because the evidence against them is damning, but she must also contend with giving birth in custody in harsh conditions.
Liv Lisa Fries (Freud’s Last Session) is captivating in the lead role. She commands attention with a portrayal of humanity and courage. I saw a remarkable inner strength in her characterisation. Johannes Hegemann is more gung-ho as Hans, tall and dashing. He’s driven by the cause, but clearly falls hard for Hilde. Another of note is Lisa Wagner, who plays the strict, sour-faced prison nurse Anneliese Kuhn, who comes to admire Hilde’s kindness and quiet resolve.
Writer Laila Stieler shows an acute awareness of the human condition in crafting a deeply affecting tale. Dresen’s direction pulls no punches. He tells it like it is, juxtaposing the undeniable connection between Hilde and Hans with the brutality of the Nazis. The film’s strong production values come to the fore. Particularly noteworthy is contrast between the claustrophobic prison cell and the freedom of camping.
From Hilde, With Love reminded me of the themes and impact of the psychological drama The Lives Of Others (2006). It’s a distressing film that not only resonated with me while I watched the barbarism unfold, but long after I left the cinema.
Alex First
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Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.