Rider of the Flames
Feuerreiter is an elegant period drama that begins in Frankfurt in 1796. Through his friend, Baron von Sinclair, romantic and rebellious poet Friedrich Hölderlin secures the position of a private tutor in the home of a banker named Gontard. He is soon torn between his passion for poetry and his love for Susette, the lady of the house. To top it all off, Baron von Sinclair is in love with him. Hölderlin's most beautiful poems are written during this trying time. However, he becomes a total recluse when he loses Susette. The film examines the effects of conflicting demands, both emotional and sensual, that may inspire art. Feuerreiter was screened as part of the New German Films at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival, 1999.
Cast
Martin Feifel
as Friedrich Holderlin
Marianne Denicourt
as Susette Gontard
Ulrich Matthes
as Isaac von Sinclair
Nina Hoss
as
Margit Carstensen
as Sinclair's mother
Matthias Faber
as Henry Gontard
Jochen Regelien
as detective
Ueli Jäggi
as "Germania"
Dieter Landuris
as "Marianna"
Pierre Besson
as Friedrich Schelling
