Rider of the Flames

Feuerreiter is an elegant period drama that begins in Frankfurt in 1796. Through his friend, Baron von Sinclair, romantic and rebellious poet Friedrich Hölderlin secures the position of a private tutor in the home of a banker named Gontard. He is soon torn between his passion for poetry and his love for Susette, the lady of the house. To top it all off, Baron von Sinclair is in love with him. Hölderlin's most beautiful poems are written during this trying time. However, he becomes a total recluse when he loses Susette. The film examines the effects of conflicting demands, both emotional and sensual, that may inspire art. Feuerreiter was screened as part of the New German Films at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival, 1999.

Cast

Martin Feifel

Friedrich Holderlin

Marianne Denicourt

Susette Gontard

Ulrich Matthes

Isaac von Sinclair

Nina Hoss

Margit Carstensen

Sinclair's mother

Matthias Faber

Henry Gontard

Jochen Regelien

detective

Ueli Jäggi

"Germania"

Dieter Landuris

"Marianna"

Pierre Besson

Friedrich Schelling

Crew

Nina Grosse

Director

Krzysztof Zanussi

Co-Producer

Susanne Schneider

Writer

Egon Werdin

Director of Photography

Tomasz Tarasin

Second Unit Director of Photography

Jacek Kurowski

Master Lighting Artist

Andrzej Przedworski

Production Design

Grzegorz Piątkowski

Production Design

Ewa Tarnowska

Interior Designer

Joanna Doroszkiewicz

Interior Designer