Berlinale Bloggers 2024
Embracing Resistance with Love

Fighting embodies an expression of love. This sentiment lies at the heart of From Hilde, with Love, a German film featured in the 74th Berlinale competition programme. It serves as a poignant reminder that revolutions don't begin with brawls or bloodshed, but rather, with the courage to love one another.

Set in 1940s Germany, amidst the rise of Hitler at the onset of World War II, the protagonist is a woman named Hilde (Liv Lisa Fries). The film follows her life as she gives birth to and subsequently cares for her child while in prison.

Hilde, an Unconventional Hero

In a departure from most hero films, From Hilde, with Love starts and ends with scenes seemingly devoid of heroism at first glance, showing scenes of Hilde picking strawberries and reading a love letter.

From Hilde, with Love also portrays Hilde as an unassuming figure through the perspective of a female protagonist. She is reserved, speaks softly, hardly ever opening her mouth, let alone to debate heavy and complex topics. Those around her consider her prudish, and “uncool”, accusing her of being an "armchair revolutionary".

But, Hilde, despite her reticence, gives strength to everyone in her reach. By taking a non-linear approach, shifting between present and past, the film subtly makes us aware of the influence of Hilde's silent actions.

Operating in Silence

In the past, Hilde and her partner and friends were part of the "Red Orchestra" spy network. They covertly transmitted crucial information about the war via radio. However, Hilde took it upon herself to transcribe the messages to families of soldiers going to the Soviet Union on the radio and send them to their families in the form of letters.

In the present, while in prison, seeing that Nazi obstetricians tended to mistreat pregnant women cruelly, Hilde helps them in labour, providing moral support and keeping them company.

Considering the surge of male-centric and masculine heroic films today, From Hilde, with Love offers a refreshing, if not radical, alternative. Once again, we see love and resistance are one and the same.