Max Ophüls's first successful film is set in the milieu of the Viennese opera in the beginning of the 20th century. Lieutenant Fritz Lobheimer falls in love with young Christine and is getting ready to end the affair with the Baroness Eggersdorff. But when the Baron learns about their relationship, he challenges the Lieutenant to a duel that will be tragic for all, no matter the winner. The film premiered in Berlin in 1933, but Max Ophüls as a Jew wasn't allowed to attend.

Max Ophüls

The iconic German director started working as a theatre actor at an early age, eventually also directing. He discovered cinema as Anatole Litvak's assistant and throughout his career in Germany, France and the USA, he made many films that belong to the classics of the world cinema. He was nominated for two Oscars and won a FIPRESCI for lifetime achievement at Berlinale.