Revisiting Mortality with Dominik Graf's "TV Tip": Remember that You Are Mortal
Dominik Graf, a ten-time Grimme Award winner, has crafted another thought-provoking piece with his latest film, "Remember that You Are Mortal," debuting on Ersten on December 13th. The film, which received an initial screening on Arte in November, features Ratte-Polle in a captivating role as a forensic biologist. As Graf shared with the press in Hamburg, "There's something aristocratic about a falcon, even when it comes as a nestling. It seems like an ennobling factor."
The filming took place near Wolfsburg, with a falconer always on set, supervising three birdlike companions. The lead actress's character, Inga, gained two companions of her own, as one falcon served as a backup, and the other two stayed with Inga, immersing her in her newfound connection.
As Inga navigates her profession as a forensic biologist at a forensic institute, she finds herself disconnected from people due to her focus. But then, feelings of connection awaken with her falcon-taming encounter. Lingering emotions from her gnarled father's (played by Jörg Gudzuhn) accusations of divorce blame and a revelation of a potential half-sister from her neighbor (Olga von Luckwald) further complicate Inga's search for inner peace and connection with humanity.
Speculation about the story's underlying themes suggests a subtle exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and mortality. The phrase "remember that you are mortal" reflects the memento mori, a traditional philosophical concept which underscores the transience of human life and the importance of reflecting on one's own mortality.
In this series of poetic everyday images, Beate Langmaack co-writes the film with Graf, much like their collaborative effort on the leukemia drama, "Hanne" (2019). Graf speaks fondly of the film's protagonist, attributing her plight to a complicated web of personal issues and professional obsession. He believes that Inga is confronted with the unsolved nature of human relationships and self-discovery, eventually realizing the fragility of her existence.
While Graf admits that this predicament is not an anomaly in modern society, he highlights the necessity of recognizing this balance lest one's profession takes precedence over human relationships. Ratte-Polle, who shares director Graf's sentiment, skillfully portrays Inga's struggle to maintain her ambition without succumbing to solitude.
In a commitment to fully immerse herself in her character, Ratte-Polle also learned to handle falcons, remarking: "There's something very contemplative about it."
The film's director, Graf, shares an unexpected memory of the production. "The team had to keep calm. If they were told to watch out, the bird was coming, they couldn't distract it or it would get nervous," he said, describing the falcon's sensitive nature that required the team's focus.
A review of Ratte-Polle's character reads, "There's a beauty in the keen sense of self-awareness that rang true in Ratte-Polle's portrayal of Inga, the forensic biologist."
Be sure to catch this morally-imbued, introspective film that showcases Ratte-Polle's remarkable ability to embody a character caught between her rigid professional life and the flicker of human connections stirring deep within her heart.
