When French language exchange student Fanny (Lilith Grasmug) travels to Leipzig, where she will stay with her pen pal Lena (Josefa Heinsius), she is dismayed by her long-distance friend’s hostility and intense political activism, but a friendship soon develops, nevertheless. Later, when Lena comes to stay with Fanny in Strasbourg, Fanny, newly politicised by Lena’s influence, and wishing to impress her, begins to spin a dangerous web of deceit. With strong support from stalwarts Nina Hoss and Chiara Mastroianni, Claire Burger’s film is a gripping snapshot of contemporary Europe.

Notes by David O’Mahony.

Screening as part of IFI French Film Festival 2024.