A Hidden Life Press Conference with August Diehl and Valerie Pachner

(Cannes Film Festival Press conference room, 20 May 2019, © Lindsay Bellinger 2019) 

By LINDSAY R. BELLINGER

When August Diehl was asked how he thinks that this Terrence Malick film can uplift society he had this to say: "This is something that I will know better once I see the film more and more...Being someone who says no and not really judging others, if there were more people like this especially in Europe with all of the political developments maybe that is the bridge to allegories. " 

He thinks that it's about our society in the way that we are all jumping on one train and saying that the world is the way it is rather than saying no and sticking up for what we really believe. It seems that Diehl appreciated that his character Franz Jägerstätter without having a clear explanation was just saying no his personal feeling and we all have those desires and feelings. 

(August Diehl and Valerie Pachner, 20 May 2019, © Lindsay Bellinger 2019) 

Valerie Pachner disclosed during the press conference that Franziska and Franz Jägerstätter's three living daughters were screened the film on Tuesday and they all approved and appreciated it. It seems that she was unsure whether it was okay to tell the press about this but the moderator said that it was okay. It seems that Pachner herself has already seen the film in its entirety three times and she's expecting to watch it even more. It is definitely one of those films that can be rewatched again despite it's three-hour long running time.