Nolan Fans

“Song to Song” isn’t the only new Terrence Malick movie premiering this year. Though both its title and release date could change — and, this being Malick, neither would be a surprise — “Radegund” is currently set to make its festival debut sometime in 2017. A return to World War II for the “Thin Red Line” writer/director, the film is based on the life of Franz Jägerstätter.

Here’s the premise: “Opening at Jägerstätter’s home in the idyllic Austrian countryside, Radegund (working title) follows Franz (August Diehl) and his beloved wife, Fani (Valerie Pachner), along their remarkable path of resistance. Told through real wartime letters, this stirring love story finds the couple in conflict with the members of their close-knit town, their church, their government, and even their friends — all of which brings them to a dramatic choice. Set in World War II-ravaged Europe, ‘Radegund’ is a timeless story of bravery, conscience, and romantic love.”

“Terry has long wanted to tell this sweeping and emotionally charged story,” said producer Grant Hill (who also worked with Malick on “The Thin Red Line” and “The Tree of Life”) in a statement. “This story of love, sacrifice and destiny resonates as much in today’s complex world as it did in war torn Europe in 1941. The questions are the same, and the choices equally as difficult.”

Panapaok wrote:Terrence Malick Returns to World War II with Romantic Drama Featuring Matthias Schoenaerts

“Song to Song” isn’t the only new Terrence Malick movie premiering this year. Though both its title and release date could change — and, this being Malick, neither would be a surprise — “Radegund” is currently set to make its festival debut sometime in 2017. A return to World War II for the “Thin Red Line” writer/director, the film is based on the life of Franz Jägerstätter.

Here’s the premise: “Opening at Jägerstätter’s home in the idyllic Austrian countryside, Radegund (working title) follows Franz (August Diehl) and his beloved wife, Fani (Valerie Pachner), along their remarkable path of resistance. Told through real wartime letters, this stirring love story finds the couple in conflict with the members of their close-knit town, their church, their government, and even their friends — all of which brings them to a dramatic choice. Set in World War II-ravaged Europe, ‘Radegund’ is a timeless story of bravery, conscience, and romantic love.”

“Terry has long wanted to tell this sweeping and emotionally charged story,” said producer Grant Hill (who also worked with Malick on “The Thin Red Line” and “The Tree of Life”) in a statement. “This story of love, sacrifice and destiny resonates as much in today’s complex world as it did in war torn Europe in 1941. The questions are the same, and the choices equally as difficult.”

You are in Terrence Malick’s Radegund. What can you tell us about it?

No one knows what it is going to be. It has been two and a half years since production. I’m not sure. It might finish tomorrow, it might take another two years of post-production. No one knows. He doesn’t feel the pressure. I think he works with several editors who make different versions. He’s a director who creates spaces rather than produces scenes; his editing style is like that. A bit like music. He needs the time that he needs.

I have been told by two separate French sources that Malick has shown “footage” of “Radegund” and that the plan is to, indeed, premiere it at Cannes this coming May. However, as of the publishing of this article, the whole film has NOT been shown to Cannes head Thierry Fremaux and company. Who knows if Malick will get cold feet and decide to further edit the film and wait until Venice or even next year? That is the fear most of the Cannes committee has at the moment, because the footage shown has supposedly “blown people away” and Fremaux very much wants this movie to be in competition.

The Film Stage 📽 @TheFilmStage
Rumored to premiere at Cannes, Terrence Malick's Radegund is now titled A Hidden Life.