ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT Q&A with Edward Berger and Albrecht Schuch | TIFF 2022

The team behind ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT in conversation with TIFF in advance of its premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. This impassioned, visually arresting interpretation of the classic German anti-war novel makes the pacifist case to contemporary audiences through its depiction of the horrible madness of World War I and the tragedy of a doomed generation.
The 47th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 8 to 18, 2022. For more, visit tiff.net.
Considered one of literature’s most honest and authentic depictions of war, Erich Maria Remarque’s renowned 1929 novel Im Westen nichts Neues was first adapted for the screen in Lewis Milestone’s Academy Award-winning 1930 film. Nearly a century later, Edward Berger has directed the first German interpretation of the story and it is a work of unquestionable power and urgency. It’s 1917 and wartime in Germany, as Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) lies about his age so that he can enlist alongside his friends - all of them very young men filled with romanticized, patriotic notions. The reality of war almost immediately dismantles their exuberance. Soon (too soon) Paul is thrown into a trench, with little equipment, minimal training, and the swiftly repaired uniform of another soldier on his back. Only the hardy advice of an older veteran prevents him from becoming another hapless statistic on his first day. In the hands of Berger, cinematographer James Friend, and an outstanding cast (including Daniel Brühl in a supporting role as a frustrated government minister), this is a compelling and impassioned adaptation. Berger’s interpretation is a visceral experience: banks of sewing machines repairing uniforms sound like bullets, the icy frost of a winter morning hangs like a shroud for those dead from cold, and devastated landscapes of mud, blood, and bone encase soldiers in their trenches - fusing men together in a way few of us can ever truly understand. The film’s evocation of overwhelming brutality and relentless fear reinforces a compelling message: the true enemy is not the soldiers opposite in No Man’s Land or even the bombs and shells dropping from above, but rather, always and for all of us, war itself.
Edward Berger was born in Wolfsburg, Germany. His directorial credits include the features Jack (14) and All My Loving (19), as well as the television series Deutschland 83 (15) and Patrick Melrose (18). All Quiet on the Western Front (22) is his latest film.

[@Marquiselee1371]

I’ve been waiting for this film ever since it was announced so many years ago, for it to finally be here feels like a dream come true!!

[@anthonykearneyfilms]

Ik same. Watching today!!

[@WEBB-TECH]

It's been very much worth the wait IMO

[@mistersir3185]

6:53 what I realized as well after watching this movie. This movie leaves you with a different sort of ending unlike many Hollywood war movies. American movies are so predictable, but this movies ending leaves you with a very different kind of feeling and that makes this movie even better.

[@MoquiaoMoquiao]

One of my most anticipated movies this year!

[@samkitty5894]

Amazing work of art with a very strong message. Not to be missed. It should be required viewing in all the schools and universities.

[@wes1164]

Unreal movie! So happy I was there to see the premiere show

[@MySerpentine]

Did they have the butterfly in this version?

[@wes1164]

@@MySerpentine no unless it was very quick and subtle

[@tylermoulton7294]

@@wes1164 sPoILeR 🚨

[@braianramirez3337]

I hope they can get that oscar nom! I really appreciate war movies on the Oscars. Looking forward to get into the story

[@godzillaeatsushi4979]

This is one of the best film this year 2022. One of my favorite 😊

[@gregpetterson]

Thanks for sharing, great interview!

[@1TryThinking]

I think the movie is fantastic, but I would love to know why the ending does not match the book. The ending of the book is meaningful and heavy, full of tragedy. And Paul makes a decision (I think) for us to ponder and explore. We lose that with this movie.

[@bceyler6522]

Amazing film

[@pauloricardosalgado1888]

👏👏🇧🇷🇩🇪

[@gainal9080]

I don't understand why people always have to be standing at TIFF lol.

[@plumeria66]

Americans never sound as articulate as Canadians.

[@charlieindotnet]

Just the best after saving private Ryan

[@dariussalepetru6770]

And 1917

[@mukeshkumarcap4139]

😭😭 make me cry this movie. Paul,Kate,France
White girl like milk , breast 😭😭😭 world war 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭