3 DAYS IN QUIBERON

Germany, 2018, 115 minutes, Black-and-white.

Marie Baumer, Birgit Minichmayr, Charlie Hubner, Robert Gwisdeck, Denis  Lavant, Christopher Buchholz, Vicki Krieps.

Directed by Emily Atef.

Romy Schneider was a significant actress first in German cinema from the 1950s, then making a wide range of international appearances with directors like Orson Welles, Otto Preminger, then making a name for herself in French cinema in the 1960s and 70s. She died in 1982.

This is a film portrait as well as something of a tribute, written and directed by Emily Atef. As the title suggests, the action takes place over three days, Romy Schneider in rehabilitation for alcohol and drug addiction. She is in something of a bad way, her son not communicating with her, missing her daughter, upset that her second husband had hanged himself.

Romy Schneider is loyal to her mother, but her mother, Magda, was dominating in her career, especially in the early Sissi films, her mother having played Sissi in her own career. Her mother guided and controlled her career.

The occasion of the three days is a final interview with a journalist, hard and hostile, from Dear Stern, accompanied by a photographer who has many photo sessions with the actress and is an emotional support for her. Also visiting is her friend from school days, Hilde (Birgit Minchimayr) who understands her, comforts her, listens to her, tries to influence the questions of the interviewer, falls out with Romy but is concerned about her health and stays despite an intention to leave.

Marie Baumer resembles Romy Schneider in her later years, takes on her manner and mannerisms, re-creating a credible portrait of the actress at this stage of her life.

There is an aftermath, a year later, Romy Schneider with her daughter, the visit from the photographer, her giving permission for the article to be published with a deletion critical of her mother but an assertion that the actress intended to go on living and working. Sadly, she died not long afterwards.

1. Audience knowledge of Romy Schneider? Her career, the range of films, Sissi, German films, International, top directors, her career in France? Her life, relationships, her mother, husbands, children, friends? Drug and alcohol dependancies? Her death?
2. The title, the focus on Romy Schneider in her early 40s, discussions about her career and films, discussions about the strong influence her mother, her mother portraying Sissi, Romy Schneider’s early films, the influence of her mother on her career? The suicide of her husband? The alienation from her son? Love for her daughter? In France, her career? Her reputation in Germany?
3. The performance, Romy Schneider and the actress’s appearance, likeness, mannerisms, in her room, the rehabilitation, with her friends, her reactions to the interviews, the photo sessions, going out, friendly, drinking? The clashes with Hilde, the hard nights, Robert and his support? Her going out onto the rocks, breaking her ankle, the difficulties with her next film?
4. Hilde, childhood friend, support, knowing all about Romy, the visit, the hotel, companionship, talking, support, during the interview and photo sessions, the drinking afterwards, the clash, her deciding to leave, staying, support, the reconciliation?
5. The issue of the interview, Charley, his background, family, interviewing celebrities, harsh attitudes? Questions, interrogation, her questioning him, then his probing her life, the past, her frank talking about her life, her children? The ending of the interviewer, Hilde’s intervention?
6. Robert, the photo sessions, knowing Romy, his support, in the restaurant, the drinking, the photos? Going to her room, supporting her during the night, waking, the search for her?
7. The aftermath, the continuing of the interview?
8. One year later, Romy with her daughter, Robert, the text of the interview, her not wanting her mother-to-be hurt, and crossing out the indications that she was crazy, saying she wanted to live life to the full.
9. The irony of the discussions about her last film? The last interviews and photo sessions?
10. A tribute to Romy Schneider and her career? A portrait, her personality?