Aimee and Jaguar

Max Färberböck's first feature film is based upon Erica Fischer's book, chronicling the true story of Lilly Wust and Felice Schragenheim, and their lesbian affair in war torn Berlin.Both Maria Schrader (playing Felice) and Juliane Köhler (Lilly) were born in 1965, so they would have been about 34 years old when making the film, which was right for Lilly, who was about 31 when the events took place, but wrong for Felice, who was only about 22. This is one reason why the dynamics of the relationship - the why and how of their falling so passionately in love - are never made clear. The performances are fine - that's not the problem - but in addition to losing that age difference, the film simply does not devote enough attention to tracing the genesis of the love between the two titular characters. We see it happening but are not given sufficient clues about why it is happening. Nonetheless, the story itself is extraordinary, and well worth telling.If you are not familiar with the historical background, then you might well find the film confusing at times. The director seems to assume that many details, such as the failed assassination attempt on Hitler, which are central to the action, will be familiar to the viewer.The cinematography is excellent. The Allied bombing raids, the quiet moments in the park, the erotic episodes are all strikingly well done. The film is visually compelling throughout.The sense of place and the atmosphere of wartime Berlin are very strong. As might be expected, there is meticulous attention to period detail.Despite the caveats mentioned above, this is a very fine film and is recommended. The extras on this DVD include actual photographs of Lilly and Felice, taken on occasions that are featured in the film. To look at those pictures after seeing the film is a profoundly moving experience.[PeterReeve]

Didn't buy this one as a love story, or as a film about two ladies who fall in love, I bought this one because I'm seriously into WWII history, particularly German history, and I wanted to see the film. With that background out of the way, this is an absolutely fantastic movie. It's not trashy, it's not preaching any political motives, it's not offensive in any way, it's just a really good movie.If you're reading this, you already know the subject matter so I'll not waste your time rehashing what everyone else has said. Coming at this movie from the perspective of a history fanatic, they got all the little details right - and I was impressed! The wardrobe, the uniforms, the props, the cars, every bit of scenery, is spot-on perfect for wartime Berlin. The acting is top-notch, the camera work is as good as it gets, and the story is extremely well-written and the characters are all very well developed.My grandparents were German, so that is where my interest in wartime Germany stems from. As for the subject matter of the movie, my Opa was a teenage boy during that time and served in the Luftwaffe. He told me, many times, stories of wives and girlfriends throughout Germany that are very similar to this one, only without the espionage twist this tale has. Lesbianism, or perhaps more correctly bisexual behavior was apparently fairly common and widely tolerated during the war, and this is the only film I've seen thus far that tackles that subject and does it tastefully and with a great story as well.HIGHLY recommend this one to any history buffs interested in wartime Germany.

People who have survived the horrors of war will oftentimes say that the fear, all consuming in its totality, drives a revelation of the self. So it is with Felice Schroeder and Lilly Wust, the former a jewish lesbian hiding in plain view and the latter a German housewife loyal to the principles of the Third Reich. Felice works for an underground movement based in Berlin and as the movie tells us, she is a woman with many faces. Her unflinching strength in the face of adversity is humanized only by her extreme vulnerability in front of Lilly. Here is a woman who sacrifices everything, her bonds with her family, her friends, and even her life for the good of the cause. Yet, when confronted with the startling realization that a German housewife can love her, even knowing that she is a Jew changes everything for her. Lilly, on the other hand, is first portrayed as a coward. Her neediness is personified by her constant affairs with other men, in an attempt to channel her repressed passions - repressed, most likely, because she is a lesbian. In true form, Felice is predatory when she sees Lilly - Lilly is a conquest of many facets, nonetheless because she is the perfect Aryan mother. The two dance around each other and the desire is as thick as butter. Yet, there is a transformation between desire to love. We see both characters find courage within each other. Felice, the courage to stay behind Berlin to conduct her relationship with Lilly, to live life on her own terms and Lilly, the courage to truly love another, no matter the consequences.

This is the saddest war time love story I have ever watched. People should have the ability to fall in love and care for whom ever they want, no government should dictate that to any individual. After all we are all homo sapiens and all of us are descended from multiple people in the centre of Africa about 150,000 years ago. It seems to be that Lilly fell much harder for Felice than the other way around (maybe Felice, in her experience, had been hurt and knew when to apply the brakes on her emotions, however, she did elect to stay with Lilly after the 20th of July plot, when she could had left the Country with her compatriots and leave Lilly by herself). Humans needs to get themselves together else they will eventually destroy themselves. Lastly, I abhorred the beating that the Geheime Staatspolizei men inflicted on Felice, she is a woman!!! Yes, they delivered punishment to her like she was a man and chucked her down the stairs. I hope both of these women no longer know any more pain and are finally united in a realm that mere humans are unable to cause them any more hurt.

Having seen this film some years ago I was glad to catch up again & find it stood up to my first viewing.The basic story is set in Berlin during WW2 -Lilly is a mother of four and married to a soldier( on the eastern front) Felice is a Jewish lesbian working with the underground through false I.D.,her wits & help from sympathetic friends and a group of 'sexual compatriots'. The film follows the attraction the two feel for each other & how this impacts on family,work ,life & death in this most dangerous of times.Credit must go to the designers which gives the film an almost timeless look ,so when intervention comes from the Gestapo or from a bombing raid it has great impact.Lilly is played by Juliane Kohler,best known for her portrayal of Eva Braun in 'Downfall' & also for her starring role in the excellent Oscar winning 'Nowhere in Africa'. Maria schrader has had a number of roles, the best known in the award winning film 'In Darkness' & was recently in the highly acclaimed TV series 'Deutschland '83'.The film is based on a true story related some years later with Input from others with a relation to Felice.To those who may feel the subject matter may be off putting ,I'd say don't be,the director Max Farberbock has done a fine job without being exploitative.There is a strong musical score and the rest of the cast deserve credit for solid support, it's just a bit of a shame that apart from a trailer there are no extras- Here's hoping for the 20th anniversary they may put out an updated disc .A number of reviewers have commented on the quality of the DVD image and it's fair to say it is a bit grainy & dark in places but I found this didn't detract too much from the almost TV movie look. The film is in German language (with English subtitles)-1999: 2 hours approx, in letterbox format for 4:3 screen size.Optimum releasing DVD,2001.

As it says in the headline, Aimée & Jaguar is a good LGBT film with some stellar acting and cinematography despite some issues. This is a film that shouldn't be passed on if you have an interest in watching it.As for the DVD itself it is not viable... at least not anymore. The DVD was first released by Optimum Releasing (now StudioCanalUK) in 2001 and is obviously not suited for playing on modern televisions. The video quality is extremely low. It looks really murky (even in outside environments in the sunlight) and grainy to the point where it is noticeable but not enough to the point where the viewing is obstructed or is way too blurry. There are moments when you cannot see the main character's faces as it is too dark and murky. Its like the film was ripped from a VHS tape. Additionally the aspect ratio is smaller meaning that you would be watching the film as if you are looking through a box. It is extremely distracting and I think it actually negatively influenced my viewing of the film. It all depends on what kind of television you have but most people have a flat screen with 1080p or more output making the overall quality of the DVD nonviable for normal viewings.Normally I would recommend that potential purchasers hold off on buying the film so that a remaster would be released on Blu Ray/DVD by StudioCanalUK or whatever company holds the home distribution rights to Aimée & Jaguar. Right now it is abysmal seeing the film being left in this state and the DVD is the only real way to watch it as its not available in other formats (disc or streaming) in the UK. But unfortunately it is highly unlikely that a remaster would happen even if 2019 is the film's 20th anniversary.Thinking about a potential remaster comes with various questions as well. The film is good but isn't necessarily great, in my view at least. Does it deserve a remaster and re-release? Will StudioCanalUK actually commit to reissuing it? Would reissuing/remastering it be within potential buyer's interest or is it solely mine? Who knows, but its undeniable that it is extremely sad to see Aimée & Jaguar in this state especially since a version of it on Youtube has considerably higher quality albeit with Spanish subtitles - the film deserves better.I hope that StudioCanalUK will give Aimée & Jaguar a proper transfer in the future before it becomes forgotten.

Arrived in great time, thrilled with purchase...

Knowing it is based around a true story the movie has a lot more feeling. Subtitles, so be aware of that if its something that you don't find comfortable to follow.

Interesting film, but be aware it's in German with English sub-titles and quite grainy video on a big flat screen TV. The grainy effect does seem to add to the WW2 ambiance though.