One of the most anticipated films that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival was Netflix’s German-language adaptation ofAll Quiet on the Western Front. This is far from the first time that German authorErich Maria Remarque’s World War I novel has been adapted, but that hasn’t lessened the excitement to see how German filmmakerEdward Bergerwill breathe new life into the distinctly anti-war war story. During the festival, Berger andAlbrecht Schuch, one of the film’s stars, stopped by Collider’s Supper Suite and Media Studio at Marbl to chat with our Editor-in-ChiefSteve Weintraubabout the film.
In addition to directing, Berger also penned the script withIan StokellandLesley Paterson, which will follow the same premise as the novel and 1930s Academy Award-winning film adaptation.All Quiet on the Western Frontfollows Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer), a young soldier who enthusiastically volunteers for the war effort alongside his classmates, as he comes face to face with the horrors of war, and the never-ending tragedy that plays out in themuddy horrors of trench warfare. While the film has only had a premiere at TIFF,Berger’s adaptation is already getting Oscar buzz as Germany has chosen it as its official contender. In addition to Schuch and Kammerer,All Quiet on the Western Frontalso starsDaniel Brühl,Moritz Klaus,Aaron Hilmer,Edin Hasanovic,Adrian Grünewald,Devid Striesow,Andreas Döhler,Sebastian Hülk,Alexander Schuster,Luc Feit,Michael Wittenborn,Michael Stange,André Marcon,Tobias Langhoff, andAnton von Lucke.
During the interview they discussed how they shot the film in roughly 54 days, the impact and toll that it took on Schuch to film such grueling and emotionally heavy scenes, how Berger wanted to avoid manipulating the audience and instead sought to focus on the character’s reactions and emotions to help the audience connect with them, and how German’s tragic history with war helps to create a film that American or British movies wouldn’t be able to produce. They also spoke about dream projects—includingJames Bondand working withPaul Thomas Anderson—as well as what they like to collect.
RELATED:‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Gets Theatrical and Netflix Release Dates
Check out the full interview in the video above to hear Ed Berger and Albrecht Schuch discuss makingAll Quiet on the Western Front, including:
Special thanks to our TIFF 2022 partners A-list Communications, Belvedere Vodka, Marbl Toronto, COVERGIRL Canada, Tres Amici Wines, Toronto Star, and Blue Moon Belgian White beer.
