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  • The Farewell (2000)
  • 97 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
The Farewell (2000)
97 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama

It is one of the last days of an exceptionally hot summer in 1956. Bertolt Brecht (Bierbichler) is about to leave his lakeside house among the tall birches in Brandenburg to return to Berlin for the upcoming theater season. Most of the ...See moreIt is one of the last days of an exceptionally hot summer in 1956. Bertolt Brecht (Bierbichler) is about to leave his lakeside house among the tall birches in Brandenburg to return to Berlin for the upcoming theater season. Most of the women in his life are there: his wife, Helene Weigel (Bleibtreu); his daughter, Barbara; his old lover Ruth Berlau; his latest flame, the actress Käthe Reichel; and sensuous Isot Kilian, whose affections and body he shares with the rebel political activist Wolfgang Harich. The friends and lovers swim, write, eat, drink, and philosophize about art, politics, and life as the Stasi lurks all the while on the sidelines, waiting. The serenity of the country on this summer day stands in marked contrast to the storm of jealousy and egomania, betrayal and dashed hopes at whose center Brecht is trapped, struggling to make plans for a future that fate will end only days later. A brilliant ensemble cast and music by John Cale complement this fascinating portrait of one of Germany's leading modern artists. Written by Harvard Film Archive See less
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Release date
Jan 16, 2002 (United States)

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Cast

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16 cast members
Name Known for
Josef Bierbichler
Bertolt Brecht Bertolt Brecht   See fewer
Monica Bleibtreu
Helene Weigel Helene Weigel   See fewer
Jeanette Hain
Käthe Reichel K��the Reichel   See fewer
Elfriede Irrall
Elisabeth Hauptmann Elisabeth Hauptmann   See fewer
Margit Rogall
Ruth Berlau Ruth Berlau   See fewer
Samuel Finzi
Wolfgang Harich Wolfgang Harich   See fewer
Rena Dumont
Isot Kilian (as Rena Zednikova) Isot Kilian (as Rena Zednikova)   See fewer
Birgit Minichmayr
Barbara Brecht Barbara Brecht   See fewer
Tilman Günther
Offizier der Staatssicherheit Offizier der Staatssicherheit   See fewer
Paul Herwig
Manfred Wekwerth Manfred Wekwerth   See fewer
Claudius Freyer
Peter Palitzsch Peter Palitzsch   See fewer
Emanuel Spitzy
Jungpionier Jungpionier   See fewer
Slawomir Holland
Offizier der Staatssicherheit Offizier der Staatssicherheit   See fewer
Piotr Kryska
Fahrer der Staatssicherheit Fahrer der Staatssicherheit   See fewer
Ulrich Matthes
Wolfgang Harig Wolfgang Harig   See fewer
Ilja Zmiejew
Ruppi (uncredited) Ruppi (uncredited)   See fewer
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