Movie of the Day: From Hilde, with Love (2024) by Andreas Dresen
- dailyentertainment95
- Apr 24
- 10 min read
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/in-liebe-eure-hilde (Germany)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20420646/
"From Hilde, with Love (2024)" by Andreas Dresen: A Moving Testament to Love and Resistance
"From Hilde, with Love" (German: "In Liebe, Eure Hilde"), directed by the acclaimed German filmmaker Andreas Dresen, is a powerful and deeply human biographical drama that illuminates the story of Hilde Coppi, a young woman involved in the German resistance against the Nazi regime. Released in 2024, the film offers an intimate and moving portrait of love, courage, and resilience in the face of unimaginable oppression.
About Movie (Detailed Summary)
Set in Berlin in 1942, "From Hilde, with Love" tells the true story of Hilde Coppi (portrayed by Liv Lisa Fries), a seemingly ordinary young woman whose life becomes intertwined with the underground resistance group later known as the "Red Orchestra." Amidst the growing dangers of the Nazi regime, Hilde finds love with Hans Coppi (Johannes Hegemann), a fellow member of the group. The film beautifully captures their intense and joyful summer together, a period of passionate connection juxtaposed against the backdrop of their increasingly perilous activities, such as transcribing and distributing coded messages. However, their efforts are eventually discovered, leading to their arrest by the Gestapo. The narrative then shifts to Hilde's harrowing experience in prison while she is eight months pregnant. The film sensitively depicts her struggle for survival, the birth of her son, and the unexpected moments of humanity she encounters even within the brutal prison system. Through a non-linear structure that interweaves flashbacks of Hilde's relationship with Hans and her involvement in the resistance with the grim reality of her imprisonment and impending fate, the film creates a poignant contrast between the preciousness of the life she lived and the injustice of her condemnation to death. It is a testament to Hilde's quiet strength and unwavering spirit in the face of своего рода evil.
Plot Summary
In Nazi-occupied Berlin, a young woman named Hilde becomes involved in the anti-Nazi resistance and falls in love. After being arrested by the Gestapo while pregnant, she gives birth in prison and fights for survival and connection before facing her execution.
Director's Vision
Andreas Dresen's vision for "From Hilde, with Love" was to move beyond a conventional historical drama and create a deeply humanistic film that focuses on the personal story and emotional world of Hilde Coppi. He aimed to portray the members of the Red Orchestra not just as historical figures but as vibrant young people who loved, laughed, and dared to resist in their own ways. Dresen emphasized the love story between Hilde and Hans as the emotional core of the film and highlighted Hilde's individual strength and resilience, particularly during her imprisonment. He sought to depict the resistance efforts, often small and seemingly futile in the grand scheme, as acts of significant courage and moral integrity. By using a non-linear narrative, Dresen intended to create a sense of immediacy and emotional depth, contrasting the warmth of memory with the harshness of Hilde's present reality. He also noted the contemporary relevance of the film's themes of standing up against injustice and the enduring power of human connection.
Themes
Love and Connection Amidst Adversity: The film explores the profound bond between Hilde and Hans and the importance of human connection in times of extreme danger.
Resistance and Courage: It highlights the bravery of individuals who chose to resist a tyrannical regime, focusing on the personal cost and moral imperative of their actions.
Resilience of the Human Spirit: Hilde's journey in prison showcases her remarkable inner strength and determination in the face of despair and injustice.
The Personal Cost of Political Action: The film underscores the immense sacrifices made by those who engaged in resistance activities during wartime.
Memory and the Past: The non-linear structure uses flashbacks to explore Hilde's cherished memories and provide context for her present situation.
Humanity in Inhuman Circumstances: The film finds moments of unexpected kindness and connection even within the brutal environment of a Nazi prison.
Key Success Factors
"From Hilde, with Love" has garnered significant critical acclaim and festival recognition, establishing itself as a notable film of 2024. Key success factors include:
Powerful Central Performance: Liv Lisa Fries' portrayal of Hilde Coppi has been widely praised as captivating, deeply emotional, and a key strength of the film.
Humanistic Approach to History: Dresen's focus on the personal stories and emotional lives of the resisters resonated with critics, offering a fresh perspective on a historical subject.
Sensitive Direction and Screenwriting: Dresen's nuanced direction and Laila Stieler's screenplay have been lauded for their ability to create an intimate and moving portrait without resorting to melodrama.
Strong Emotional Impact: The film's depiction of love, loss, and resilience has proven deeply affecting for audiences and critics.
Festival Premieres and Recognition: Its premiere in Competition at the Berlinale and subsequent screenings and awards at various international festivals have brought significant attention and prestige.
Contemporary Relevance: The film's themes of resistance and the importance of human decency in the face of oppression feel particularly relevant to current global events.
Summary Short
"From Hilde, with Love (2024)" by Andreas Dresen is a German biographical drama about Hilde Coppi, a young woman in the anti-Nazi resistance who finds love but is arrested while pregnant, depicting her time in prison and unwavering spirit through interweaving flashbacks and present-day struggles.
Awards and Nominations
"From Hilde, with Love (2024)" has received significant recognition, including:
74th Berlin International Film Festival 2024: Nominated for the Golden Bear (Best Film).
Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2024: Won the Main Prize "Flying Ox" (Andreas Dresen) and the Best Acting Award (Liv Lisa Fries).
German Film Awards 2025: Nominated for Best Feature Film, Best Leading Actress (Liv Lisa Fries), Best Supporting Actor (Johannes Hegemann), Best Screenplay (Laila Stieler), and Best Costume Design (Birgitt Kilian).
The film has also been selected for numerous other international film festivals.
Critics Reception
Critical reception for "From Hilde, with Love" has been largely very positive, with particular praise directed at Liv Lisa Fries' performance and Andreas Dresen's sensitive handling of the historical subject matter.
The Hollywood Reporter (Leslie Felperin): Termed it "Top-drawer humanist cinema," "lush, evocative and affecting."
Variety (Catherine Bray): Praised Liv Lisa Fries' "subtle but layered performance" and Judith Kaufmann's cinematography, calling the film "Moving and compelling" with themes that "seem destined to remain eternally urgent and relevant."
ScreenDaily (Lee Marshall): Found the story told "rarely so freshly and movingly," highlighting Liv Lisa Fries' "compelling performance" and stating, "It's Hilde's eyes that stay with you: searching, expectant, burning with life force even at the darkest moments." Described it as a "powerhouse biopic that builds up to a dramatic, moving crescendo."
Cineuropa (Ola Salwa): Saw the film as a demonstration that "Wars can be fought with acts of love and kindness," and that "silence screams louder than bombs," calling it a "deeply humanistic film" with an "alluring" performance by Fries.
FILMSTARTS.de (Michael Meyns): Called it a "highly deserved monument for the Red Orchestra - and a really good film!" praising Dresen's shift to chronicling German history and Fries' intense performance. Noted the focus on Hilde's fate rather than just the political background.
moviescramble (Review): Described it as a "fascinating portrait of one of World War Two's most compelling figures," appreciating the non-linear structure and Liv Lisa Fries' formidable performance that "rejects the cliche of the 'warrior woman'." Found it a "truly fascinating portrait" that makes you feel the weight of history.
The Film Pie (Review): Found it the "latest addition" to compelling WWII films with appeal despite having seen films offering deeper historical insight. Praised the prison scenes and the friendship with a prison guard as the most interesting subplot.
Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics widely lauded "From Hilde, with Love" for its deeply human and emotionally resonant portrayal of a historical figure and resistance group. Liv Lisa Fries' central performance is consistently highlighted as outstanding. While some noted the film's focus on personal experience over detailed political history, the sensitive direction, compelling narrative structure, and powerful themes resonated strongly, marking it as a significant and moving historical drama.
Reviews
Reviews for "From Hilde, with Love" emphasize the film's success in making a historical narrative feel incredibly personal and emotionally impactful. Critics were particularly struck by Liv Lisa Fries' nuanced portrayal of Hilde Coppi, capturing both her vulnerability and her immense inner strength. Andreas Dresen's decision to structure the film with interweaving timelines was generally praised for creating a powerful contrast and highlighting the central themes of love, memory, and resilience. While the film doesn't delve extensively into the political intricacies of the Red Orchestra, its focus on the human cost and moral courage of resistance resonated deeply with reviewers, who found it a moving and timely reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice.
Box Office
Specific detailed box office figures for "From Hilde, with Love (2024)" are not widely available in the public domain. Following its theatrical release primarily in Germany and numerous festival screenings internationally, comprehensive box office reporting is likely limited. IMDb reports no worldwide gross.
Production
"From Hilde, with Love (2024)" is a German production. The film was directed by Andreas Dresen and the screenplay was written by Laila Stieler, marking their eighth collaboration. The film is based on the true story of Hilde Coppi and her involvement in the Red Orchestra. It was produced by Pandora Film Produktion, Ziegler Film, and Iskremas, with the participation of German broadcasters rbb and arte. The cast is led by Liv Lisa Fries and Johannes Hegemann, with a strong ensemble cast including Alexander Scheer, Lisa Wagner, Emma Bading, Sina Martens, and others. Principal photography took place in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany, in late 2022. The film received significant funding from various German federal and regional film bodies.
Production Companies
Pandora Film Produktion: (Country: Germany) - Production company.
Ziegler Film: (Country: Germany) - Production company.
Iskremas: (Country: Not specified, likely Germany) - Production company (co-producer, includes Andreas Dresen).
rbb: (Country: Germany) - Production company (commissioning editor).
arte: (Country: France/Germany) - Production company (commissioning editor).
Sales Companies
Beta Cinema GmbH: (Country: Germany) - Handles the international sales for the film.
Distribution Companies
Pandora Film Verleih: (Country: Germany) - Distributed the film theatrically in Germany.
Picturehouse: (Country: United Kingdom) - Acquired distribution rights for the UK.
Palace Films: (Country: Australia) - Distributed the film in Australia.
Information regarding distribution in other territories is available based on festival screenings and sales agent information, suggesting wider international distribution.
Release Date on Streaming
"From Hilde, with Love (2024)" was released on Video on Demand (VoD) in Germany on February 20, 2025. Information regarding streaming availability in other territories is not widely available on platforms like JustWatch in the United States.
Theatrical Release
"From Hilde, with Love (2024)" had its World Premiere in the Competition section of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 17, 2024. Its German theatrical release was on October 17, 2024, distributed by Pandora Film Verleih. The film has had theatrical runs in other countries as well, following acquisitions by international distributors and screenings at numerous film festivals throughout 2024 and 2025.
Why to Recommend This Movie
Compelling True Story: The film tells a powerful and inspiring true story of resistance and human spirit during a dark historical period.
Outstanding Lead Performance: Liv Lisa Fries delivers a widely acclaimed portrayal of Hilde Coppi that is deeply moving.
Sensitive and Humanistic Filmmaking: Andreas Dresen's direction offers an intimate and emotionally resonant perspective on historical events.
Timely and Relevant Themes: The film's exploration of courage, resistance, and humanity in the face of oppression feels particularly relevant today.
Why to Watch Movie
To Learn About a Lesser-Known Resistance Story: The film sheds light on the Red Orchestra and the individuals who risked everything to oppose the Nazi regime.
Experience a Highly Praised Performance: Liv Lisa Fries' work in the film is a significant draw.
For a Moving and Thought-Provoking Historical Drama: The film offers a powerful emotional experience and prompts reflection on important historical and human themes.
To See Award-Nominated German Cinema: The film's recognition at major festivals and national awards highlights its quality.
What Movie Trend film is following
The film aligns with the ongoing trend of historical dramas and biopics that focus on lesser-known or overlooked figures and stories, particularly those related to periods of conflict or social upheaval. Its emphasis on the human and emotional aspects of a historical event, rather than just the political or military, is also a prevalent approach in contemporary historical filmmaking. The film's strong female lead and focus on a woman's experience within a resistance movement also connects to a trend of bringing female-centric historical narratives to the screen.
What Big Social Trend is following
"From Hilde, with Love" resonates with the social trend of revisiting and re-evaluating history through a humanistic lens, seeking to understand the personal motivations and experiences of individuals caught in larger historical events. Its themes of resistance to authoritarianism and the importance of individual conscience feel particularly relevant in the current global political climate, where there is a renewed focus on civic courage and standing up against injustice. The film also touches upon themes of human resilience and the enduring power of love and connection in challenging times, which are universally resonant social concerns.
Final Verdict
"From Hilde, with Love (2024)" is a deeply affecting and important film from Andreas Dresen that brings the true story of Hilde Coppi and the Red Orchestra to vivid, humanistic life. Anchored by a truly exceptional performance from Liv Lisa Fries, the movie avoids historical clichés to deliver an intimate and emotionally powerful portrait of love, courage, and resilience. While its focus is firmly on Hilde's personal journey rather than a detailed political history, this approach is precisely what gives the film its strength and resonance. Dresen's sensitive direction and the film's compelling narrative structure make it a moving and thought-provoking experience. With significant critical acclaim and recognition at major film festivals and national awards, "From Hilde, with Love" is a highly recommended historical drama that speaks eloquently to the enduring importance of humanity and resistance in the face of oppression.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Find the Human Story in Historical Events: Even large-scale historical narratives can be made more impactful by focusing on the personal experiences and emotional journeys of individuals.
Cast the Right Actor for the Central Role: A powerful and nuanced performance in the lead can elevate a biographical film and make the historical figure relatable to a modern audience.
Don't Be Afraid to Use Non-Linear Storytelling: Thoughtful use of structure can enhance themes and create emotional depth by drawing connections across different points in time.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Support Historical Dramas with a Humanistic Focus: Recognize the audience appetite for historical films that prioritize character and emotional resonance.
Champion Stories of Resistance and Courage: Films that explore acts of defiance against injustice can be timely and inspiring.
Promote Films with Strong Female Leads in Historical Narratives: Continue to bring the often-untold stories of women in history to the forefront.
Value Film Festival Recognition: Success at international festivals can be a strong indicator of a film's artistic merit and potential to connect with a global audience.
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