Gegenwart

It’s the festive season between Christmas and New Year but life in a small crematorium goes on as normal; the coffins keep coming without regard for the time of year. If the furnace needs some repair work, this is the time to do it. We also observe other tasks that are carried out here, work which requires total precision and nerves of chilled steel. The underlying tension doesn’t stem from the story unfolding here, however, but more from our fascination with the environment and the nature of the actions themselves, played out with tangible austerity and dignity. The chosen setting also draws our attention in the very manner it is captured on film – with a great sense of both consistency and variability; even so, we have the feeling that the camera isn’t even there and that the shots are governed by some higher power. Everything is viewed from a distance, yet despite an impression of mutual anonymity, even cool detachment, the lens blends seamlessly with its surroundings. While the documentary dispenses with words and commentary, its crystallised treatment makes for an exceptionally communicative work. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)