Christian Petzold May Be the Best German Filmmaker You’ve Never Heard Of

“Talking to him you feel how much he loves literature and stories,” Ms. Beer mentioned, including that “after reading the script together we will watch movies and he will talk about books that refer to our work.”

The 28-year-old actress, who answered questions through e-mail whereas serving on a jury at Cannes, mentioned Mr. Petzold created a “very inspiring working atmosphere” on set.

“Christian tells us his ideas about the scene, maybe other things that he was thinking of that fit to the atmosphere and situation,” she mentioned, including, “Every thought or idea is welcome.”

Anton Kaiser, of Schramm Film, the Berlin-based manufacturing firm behind “Afire” and 12 of Mr. Petzold’s earlier movies, mentioned Mr. Petzold likes to shoot in the summertime and edit within the fall, which implies that his movies are usually prepared in time for the Berlin pageant, which is held in February.

“Each film of Petzold’s is recognizable, but each new film is also a step forward,” Carlo Chatrian, the Berlin pageant’s inventive director, mentioned in a telephone interview.

“They are cerebral, but they are not heavy, especially the last two,” he added, referring to “Afire” and “Undine,” each of which he programmed on the pageant, as movies with a word of humor that’s new for the director.

“I’m happy, on one hand, to be able to support Christian Petzold as an auteur and as an artist,” Mr. Chatrian mentioned. “At the same time, I’m happy when his films can travel, because I think it’s a pity that he is not enough known outside Germany.”