Rider of the Flames (1998)
Feuerreiter is an elegant period drama that begins in Frankfurt in 1796. Through his friend, Baron von Sinclair, romantic and rebellious poet Friedrich Hölderlin secures the position of a private tutor in the home of a banker named Gontard. He is soon torn between his passion for poetry and his love for Susette, the lady of the house. To top it all off, Baron von Sinclair is in love with him. Hölderlin's most beautiful poems are written during this trying time. However, he becomes a total recluse when he loses Susette. The film examines the effects of conflicting demands, both emotional and sensual, that may inspire art. Feuerreiter was screened as part of the New German Films at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival, 1999.
Released: May 26, 1998
Runtime: 130 minutes
Genre: Drama
Stars: Martin Feifel, Marianne Denicourt, Ulrich Matthes, Nina Hoss, Margit Carstensen, Matthias Faber
Crew: Nina Grosse (Director), Krzysztof Zanussi (Co-Producer), Susanne Schneider (Writer), Egon Werdin (Director of Photography), Tomasz Tarasin (Second Unit Director of Photography), Jacek Kurowski (Master Lighting Artist)