I don't generally watch zombie movies but the promise of an eco-feminst zombie movie definitely appealed.
Endzeit (which translates directly as End time rather than Ever After), directed by Carolina Hellsgärd, is based on screenwriter Olivia Vieweg's graphic novel of the same name. The action is set in a post apocalyptic Germany where only two cities survive, Weimar (where those infected by zombies are killed on sight) and Jena (where they are searching for a cure). Vivi (Gro Swantje Kohlhof) has been kept in a psychiatric hospital in Weimar after being traumatised at being unable to save her sister from a zombie attack but leaves to join the border patrol. Here she meets fearless zombie killer Eva (Maja Lehrer) who also has secret traumas.
The two mismatched young women separately flee town to reach Jena and have to negotiate their way through unchartered lands. Wildlife is thriving in unexpected places and the landscape is lush and rich, having had a couple of years to recover from some of the mistreatment humans have meted out over the centuries.
"Earth is a wise old woman" says Eva "humans haven't paid her much rent recently and this is our eviction notice".
As they try to reach Jena they come across abandoned castles, mysterious beings and not enough drinking water. Will they be able to reach safety, will humanity be able to find a way to survive in balance with nature?
The feminism that is evident in the storyline is followed through in production as most of (all of?) the crew are women.
I did feel there could have been more character development of Eva and Vivi, surely Eva should have overcome some of her timidity during her travels? But overall I thought this was an excellent, thought provoking, beautifully made film.It will be interested to hear what Crafty Green Boyfriend thinks of it once he's seen it as he's a real zombie fan....
Endzeit is screeing as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival at 1820 Friday at Odeon Lothian Road and 1535 Saturday 29 at Vue Omni Centre. You can buy tickets here.
You can read my earlier reviews from Edinburgh International Film Festival 2019, by following the links below:
Boyz in the Wood a group of teenage boys get lost in the Scottish Highlands.
2040 - can technology offer solutions to our current climate and ecological crises?
Bait - Cornish fishermen try to adapt to a changing world
How to Fake a War (on my Shapeshifting Green blog) what happens when a rock star decides to meddle in international affairs?
Farm Animals on Film - featuring The Biggest Little Farm - an inspiring story of the creation of a sustainable biodiverse farm in California, plus Vulture, an experimental film about farm animals.
Virgin and Extra: Land of the Olive Oil.
Chef Diaries: Scotland - Spanish chefs the Roca brothers take the viewer on a culinary road trip round Scotland.
Up the Mountain - a year in an artists' studio in the Chinese mountains.
The Amber Light - a cinematic ode to Scotland's national drink
Aren't You Happy (on my Shapeshifting Green blog) - a writer searches for the meaning of life while not actually writing anything
The Deer - a Basque language film following two poachers in a national park on the outskirts of San Sebastien.
Hurt by Paradise - a poet keeps searching for a publisher and an actor keeps trying to get a role
Photograph (on my Shapeshifting Green blog) - a street photographer in Mumbai invents a fiancee for himself....
Disclaimer: I have a press pass for the film festival and attended a free press screening of these films.
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