Screening and Debate: Amour and Miroirs No. 3

As part of her residency, Vanessa Freerks (University of Fort Hare), visiting researcher for the FILM AND DEATH project, will present two film screenings at NOVA FCSH, followed by a discussion with members of the project team.

24 March, 17:00 – Auditorium A2 (Tower A)
Amour (2012, 127 min), directed by Michael Haneke

1 April, 17:00 – Auditorium B2 (Tower B)
Miroirs No. 3 (2025, 86 min), directed by Christian Petzold

Admission is free. All are welcome.

Synopses

Amour

Directed by the acclaimed Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke, Amour features two legendary figures associated with the French Nouvelle Vague: Jean-Louis Trintignant (And God Created Woman) and Emmanuelle Riva (Hiroshima Mon Amour). The film follows an elderly couple, both retired music teachers, whose peaceful life is abruptly disrupted when Anne suffers a stroke. As her condition deteriorates, Georges assumes the role of caregiver, confronting not only the physical and emotional demands of illness but also profound ethical dilemmas. With a restrained and intimate approach, Haneke delivers a devastating portrait of marital intimacy in the face of progressive loss, questioning the meaning of love when confronted with the extreme fragility of the human body and life itself.

Miroirs No. 3

Following a tragic accident during a weekend trip to the countryside, Laura (Paula Beer) emerges physically unscathed but deeply affected by the sudden death of her boyfriend. In shock, she is taken in by a local woman (Barbara Auer), a witness to the accident, who offers her shelter and care. What initially appears as an act of kindness gradually develops into an ambiguous and unsettling relationship. As Laura struggles to process her grief, the environment around her becomes increasingly oppressive and enigmatic. Between memory, projection, and the desire for belonging, the film presents a haunting exploration of emotional vulnerability, probing the boundaries between care, control, and identity.