Cannes 2025: the latest film by Christian Petzold “Mirror no. 3” is a balm
by Alex Billington
May 18, 2025
In this angry world in which we live today, with so many troubles and so much death and so many worries all around us, sometimes we need peace and calm instead of rage to help us cure. But it is not easy to provide this kind of peace when there is so much rage. Far too many films feel today the need to solve problems with the world by simply showing us problems and using cinema to express a kind of anger. As if we show ourselves what will not help us to solve what is wrong – it rarely never does. However, we TO DO Need a little peace and calm these days, quieter moments soothing to allow us to breathe and become a whole. Mirrors No. 3which is also simply titled Mirrors n ° 3 In English, is the 11th feature produced by a prolific German filmmaker Christian Petzold (also director of Barbara, Phoenix, Transit, Undine, agency). And it’s just delicious – one of my favorite petzold films already. Not at all what I expected, and it is a good thing, because I am happy to discover that it is a work of cinema so charming and healing. For 86 minutes, we can get a little relief on Petzold’s trip to the German countryside.
Written and directed by Christian Petzold, Mirrors No. 3 is his fourth collaboration with her muse – the very talented German actress Paula beerwho also played in Transit,, Below& On fire previously. Petzold must really go through something in his life right now. Between On fire And this new film, he clearly works through a certain depression and frustration, and he puts all this on the screen. It’s like with Mirrors No. 3 He finally understood what it takes to really achieve a certain peace. The beer features Laura, a young woman who is suddenly led by her boyfriend during a Berlin trip to a little lake. She is depressed and tells him that when they arrive, they want to go home – but the car crashes on the way back and her boyfriend dies. This is where the film Really begins, as a woman (played by the wonderful Barbara Auer) In a nearby house where they crash decide to take it and monitor it. Laura is unscathed but decides to stay with this woman anyway, although there is another reason she wants her to remain. The film feels slightly inspired by Bergman and / or Hitchcock Stories where everything is not because it seems that the story takes place. It is a beautiful minimalist light and windy mystery that really won me at the end – a nice balm for your problems.
Of course, the film can be considered another story about sorrow and overcome tragedy. I think it’s less about that and more of the healing process and what it really needs. Even if what is needed takes place on a particular and slightly misleading path. I was deeply moved by the calm and relaxation of this film, without doing anything upheaval or trouble. Even if it feels that something could happen at any time, once you understand where history is heading and that it remains on the right track, it has a great power to be a deeply healed work of art. Paula Beer is always wonderful but it is Barbara Auer who appeased me. Her performance as Betty, even if she keeps secrets and works through her own problems, is the real heart and the soul of the film. Its warmth and charm shines in each scene. The minimalist story of the film and the decor in a quiet house far from the lively city near Berlin are also so soothing. I am seriously affected by the simplistic of this film and the way in which this minimalism makes a big difference to allow this story to affect. We do not always need too complex and dense plots so that the cinema really ensures real comfort and real comfort to viewers. I’m glad Petzold understood how to share this balm in a story with us in this tender and moving way.
Alex’s Cannes 2025 note: 8 out of 10
Follow Alex on Twitter – @Firsthowing / Or letterboxd – @firsshowing
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