& Christian Petzold

Afire

7.1

A group of friends in a holiday home by the Baltic Sea where emotions run high as the parched forest around them catches fire.

Director: , Christian Petzold
Main Cast: Paula Beer, Thomas Schubert, Langston Uibel, Enno Trebs
Cinematography: , Hans Fromm
Screenplay: , Christian Petzold

Original title in Germany is Roter Himmel.

Cinema Premiere: April 20, 2023

Reviews by critics from other countries

Foreign Reviews

11 foreign reviews of Afire (2023)

1. Sydsvenskan

8 / 10

Translated from swedish: Excellent about a self-absorbed author
- Annika Gustafsson
Swedish: sydsvenskan.se »
2. Uppsala Nya Tidning

8 / 10

Translated from swedish: The German director Christian Petzold is behind this year's most brilliant summer depiction.
- Johannes Hagman
Swedish: unt.se »
3. Kulturbloggen

8 / 10

Translated from swedish: "Afire" is skillfully told and has several layers in what it conveys. I have seen it twice, and it is even better the second time as I can see small details and truly listen to the dialogues.
- Rosemari Södergren
Swedish: kulturbloggen.com »
4. SVT

8 / 10

Translated from swedish: "Afire" is a sweaty summer chamber drama with a writer's self-absorption at its center.
- Kristoffer Viita
Swedish: svt.se »
5. Västerbottenskuriren

8 / 10

Translated from swedish: It is a beautifully composed drama by Christian Petzold, and he maintains the tension right up until the end. It is a summer well worth remembering.
- Lars Böhlin
Swedish: vk.se »
6. Nöjesguiden

6.6 / 10

Translated from swedish: "Afire" has its moments. An approaching forest fire colors the night sky red, but the wind is not blowing towards the friends' house. Perhaps it is an omen that something terrible is going to happen, or is it the author's inner stress to finish their book being manifested? Skillfully told, it is in any case. 
- Andreas Heilborn
Swedish: ng.se »
7. Aftonbladet

6 / 10

Translated from swedish: A German film with both seriousness and dark humor
- Jan-Olov Andersson
Swedish: aftonbladet.se »
8. Filmtopp

6 / 10

Translated from swedish: In summary, "Afire" is a film with an interesting group of characters that manages to make a rather unpleasant main character both intriguing and nuanced.
- Sebastian Sterner
Swedish: filmtopp.se »
9. Göteborgs-Posten

6 / 10

Translated from swedish: In the end, the film does not reach the emotionally powerful resolution it aims for. It is disappointing considering the dramatic inner and outer landscape that is built up; a self-absorbed thinker surrounded by human, social drama and a forest fire that threatens to come closer.
- Caroline Hainer
Swedish: gp.se »
10. Dagens Nyheter

6 / 10

Translated from swedish: The humor is more prominent than usual in Christian Petzold's new film that aims to reflect contemporary society. "Afire" is the German star director's most modern and banal film.
- Sebastian Lindvall
Swedish: dn.se »
11. FLM

Negative, no rating

Translated from swedish: The world is on fire, but the art of film remains cool in "Afire"
- Charlotte Wiberg
Swedish: flm.nu »