Transit
Making use of the uncanny parallels between historical fact and present-day Marseille, Christian Petzold’s TRANSIT tells the story of a nearly impossible great love amid escape, exile and a longing for a place one can call home.
The German troops are just outside Paris. Georg escapes to Marseille at the last moment. His luggage contains the legacy of a writer named Weidel, who took his own life out of fear of persecution. This legacy comprises a manuscript, some letters and the Mexican Embassy’s assurance of a visa. Assuming the identity of Weidel, Georg tries to obtain one of the few scarce passages on a ship. But when he meets the mysterious Marie, his plans change.
TRANSIT is based on Anna Seghers’ eponymous novel which she wrote in exile. The film is set in contemporary Marseille where these characters from the past move around. And so, refugees from back then meet refugees from today, history meets the present, and all of their stories combine to create one eternal transit space.